It’s the holiday season – which means Starbucks is once again drawing the wrath of conservatives for allegedly pushing a liberal agenda.
The coffee mega-chain unveiled its new ad campaign and cup for the holiday season which allegedly promote homosexuality.
The limited edition holiday cup includes drawings of gifts, Christmas trees, snowflakes, and coffee cups.
But it also has two people holding hands – though it’s not clear what the genders of those people are.
Some social media users however have speculated that the hand-holding couple is gay.
It’s the holiday season – which means Starbucks is once again drawing the wrath of conservatives for allegedly pushing a liberal agenda by including a gay couple holding hands on its annual holiday cup
Social media users speculated that the hand-holding couple is gay. They were most likely convinced by the company’s video ad promoting the new cup, which shows two overtly homosexual couples
In the 30-second clip, two men – one of whom appears to be either black or Middle Eastern – are seen holding hands while one of them holds a cup of coffee. In another scene, two women are seen holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes as they share a hot cup of joe
They were most likely convinced by the company’s video ad promoting the new cup.
‘The holidays mean something different to everyone,’ the commercial reads.
In the 30-second clip, two men – one of whom appears to be either black or Middle Eastern – are seen holding hands while one of them holds a cup of coffee.
In another scene, a white woman and a black girl are seen exchanging gifts in a tropical setting.
In the next scene, an older white man helps a young black girl decorate a Christmas tree by hoisting her on his shoulders.
Finally, two women are seen holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes as they share a hot cup of joe.
‘This season, the cup is just the beginning,’ the commercial says toward the end.
The ad then unveils the Starbucks special holiday cup.
Starbucks refused to comment on whether the hands on the cup belonged to people of the same sex.
Nonetheless, the company released a statement saying: ‘Each year during the holidays we aim to bring our customers an experience that inspires the spirit of the season, and we will continue to embrace and welcome customers from all backgrounds and religions in our stores around the world.’
On social media, however, people have made up their minds
On social media, however, people have made up their minds.
‘Great new #christmas campaign from @Starbucks featuring #lesbian couple on the Holiday Cup,’ tweeted one user.
‘Poor Starbucks. Don’t they know if you have two disembodied hands, you have to put a collar and tie on one of them to prove it isn’t gay?’ tweeted another user.
‘I just saw someone saying the Starbucks holiday cup is pushing the gay agenda. If there is not two dudes f***ing on that cup, I am going to be disappointed in Starbucks,’ tweeted another user.
‘Really angry at Starbucks. The holiday cup I got did not have the graphic gay sex on it that I was promised,’ quipped one Twitter user.
In 2015, Starbucks was accused of waging a ‘war on Christmas’ because its special all-red holiday cups didn’t include any overt symbols of the holiday.
Conservatives accused the company of de-emphasizing Christmas in order to appease non-Christian customers.
Even President Donald Trump, who was a candidate at the time, suggested boycotting the chain.
Last year, Starbucks released about a dozen holiday cups that were designed by its customers. The holiday cups have been released since 1997.