Gay model to sue Starbucks over alleged anti-gay comment
By Josh Haggis
A gay model has announced he is to sue Starbucks after a barista allegedly told him to “become a man.”
Harry Louis – former boyfriend of designer Marc Jacobs – says the incident occurred when he visited a Starbucks in São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport earlier this week (December 10).
Louis alleges that when he asked a female barista what time the shop would open so he could grab a coffee, she told him that he should “put an apron on” and do it himself. After declining her offer, the barista then told him: “Become a man and then I won’t offer you my apron!”
A spokesperson for the global coffee chain has responded to Louis’ claims, insisting that the company doesn’t tolerate any form of homophobic behaviour from its staff.
“We are actively investigating the incident. We do not tolerate any discrimination against customers, so we are taking the necessary steps to investigate the case and make this right. Such behavior does not reflect our values that treat everyone with dignity and respect.”
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