Starbucks manager sacked for ‘transphobia’ rant is activist who ‘terrifies’ neighbours

The Starbucks manager filmed screaming at a customer for being ‘transphobic’ after she used the word ‘lady’ to describe a non-binary member of staff is an outspoken campaigner for trans rights, we can reveal.

Until today the identity of the coffee shop worker filmed berating a woman and throwing her out of a branch of the chain in Southampton in footage that went viral has remained secret – but MailOnline can reveal she is Luna Spain, 28.

The dramatic footage led to widespread speculation over the identity of the person caught on camera screaming at Vanessa Thomas, 55, after she inadvertently referred to one of her colleague’s as a ‘lady.’

Luna had been working in the Starbucks, which is partially owned by a licensor for the past six months combining the job with studying for a degree in Environmental Science at the Open University.

She was raised in Gosport, Hampshire where she attended a local secondary school but has been living in Southampton for the past five years.

Luna had been working in the Starbucks, which is partially owned by a licensor for the past six months combining the job with studying for a degree in Environmental Science at the Open University

Since the incident, she has lost her job at the Starbucks with the company claiming that they did not ¿tolerate such behaviour.¿ Police are also investigating the matter

Since the incident, she has lost her job at the Starbucks with the company claiming that they did not ‘tolerate such behaviour.’ Police are also investigating the matter 

Since the incident, she has lost her job at the Starbucks with the company claiming that they did not ‘tolerate such behaviour.’ Police are also investigating the matter.

Ms Thomas, who has been trying to establish the identity of the store manager since the incident, claimed that she was in fear of her life after being physically thrown out of the café by her and that she then attempted to attack her partner Mark Andrews, who was filming the altercation.

She insisted that the whole row stemmed from her using the word ‘lady’ to describe a member of staff serving her without realising that they did not ‘identify as a woman.’ This prompted Luna, who was standing close by, to confront Ms Thomas for using the wrong gender to describe her colleague.

The incident took place on 30 April.

Neighbours along the quiet road where Luna lives in Southampton described her as ‘unique.’

One told MailOnline: ‘Luna has a partner, and they seem a nice enough couple but don’t say a lot to us. Nobody around here has a problem with her sexuality, but people are quite scared of offending her if they say the wrong thing.

‘You saw what happened in the Starbucks and people don’t want that happening to them. Sometimes you can get your genders mixed up as it’s become quite a complicated world. Let’s just say Luna is quite a unique person.’

Luna is well known within Southampton’s trans community and is an outspoken campaigner on trans issues.

The incident took place at this Starbucks branch near the ferry terminal in Southampton

The incident took place at this Starbucks branch near the ferry terminal in Southampton

Luna was raised in Gosport, Hampshire where she attended a local secondary school but has been living in Southampton for the past five years

Luna was raised in Gosport, Hampshire where she attended a local secondary school but has been living in Southampton for the past five years

Earlier this year, she attended a vigil for transgender teenager Brianna Ghey who was found stabbed to death in a park in Warrington in February

Earlier this year, she attended a vigil for transgender teenager Brianna Ghey who was found stabbed to death in a park in Warrington in February

Earlier this year, she attended a vigil for transgender teenager Brianna Ghey who was found stabbed to death in a park in Warrington in February.

Posting on social media Luna writes: ‘A fire has been placed in my belly. I’m going to be louder and prouder than ever before. Each day I live as my true self, each day every trans and non-binary person lives as their true self is justice.

‘We will not be stopped, we won’t be silenced we won’t be forced in to hiding. Trans people have always been here. AND WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!! RIP Brianna. We all love and mourn you dearly.’

In another post she writes: ‘Labels are important with gender identity because without labels we wouldn’t have identity.

‘Labels are not the problem. Bigotry and intolerance of difference is the problem. Labels should be celebrated and used to build one’s character and sense of self.’

Before moving to Southampton, Luna attended Bay House School in Gosport with many former pupils revealing that they had seen video of the Starbucks incident but were not surprised by it.

One said: ‘Luna was always a big, outspoken character, even at school. She was never afraid to call things out and let’s just say, she wasn’t everybody’s cup of tea. A lot of us have seen the video and have spoken about it.

Vanessa Thomas, pictured with partner Mark Andrews, said she feared for her life after being thrown out of the café for using the word 'lady' to describe a member of staff without realising that they did not identify as a woman

Vanessa Thomas, pictured with partner Mark Andrews, said she feared for her life after being thrown out of the café for using the word ‘lady’ to describe a member of staff without realising that they did not identify as a woman

Ms Thomas (pictured), who has been trying to establish the identity of the store manager since the incident, claimed that she was in fear of her life after being physically thrown out of the café by her and that she then attempted to attack her partner Mark Andrews, who was filming the altercation

Ms Thomas (pictured), who has been trying to establish the identity of the store manager since the incident, claimed that she was in fear of her life after being physically thrown out of the café by her and that she then attempted to attack her partner Mark Andrews, who was filming the altercation 

‘It doesn’t surprise us that Luna did something like this because she’s not one to put up with any kind of nonsense. But in this case, I think she may have gone a bit over the top because from what I’ve read, the customer didn’t mean to offend anyone.’

Another former school friend said: ‘I’ve not seen Luna in quite a while but when she was at school that wasn’t her name. Everybody in the school knew her and she was a big character.

‘She’s never been afraid to speak her mind. Since the Starbucks video came out, I’m surprised she’s not posted anything about it on social media, it’s not like her to be so quiet.’

Luna’s parents, Nigel and Fiona Spain still live in the Gosport area in a smart, semi-detached home located along a leafy road.

Mr Spain told MailOnline: ‘I was not in the Starbucks so I’m not going to comment about it, and I haven’t spoken to Luna about it.’

The altercation in the Starbucks started after Ms Thomas was informed by an employee serving her that they did not accept cash payments.

Luna then joined in the conversation, with Ms Thomas telling her: ‘I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to the lady behind the counter.’

Before moving to Southampton, Luna attended Bay House School in Gosport with many former pupils revealing that they had seen video of the Starbucks incident but were not surprised by it

Before moving to Southampton, Luna attended Bay House School in Gosport with many former pupils revealing that they had seen video of the Starbucks incident but were not surprised by it 

The altercation in the Starbucks started after Ms Thomas was informed by an employee serving her that they did not accept cash payments

The altercation in the Starbucks started after Ms Thomas was informed by an employee serving her that they did not accept cash payments

It was at this point that Luna hit back, telling Ms Thomas that the person behind the counter did not identify as a ‘lady’ and that she was being ‘transphobic.’

Ms Thomas said: ‘I was speaking with somebody who I thought was a lady behind the counter who was serving me. I complained that this is another company that doesn’t take cash and that I don’t like using contactless cards because I don’t want anybody to know what I’m buying.

‘The trans store manager then jumped in and I said, “I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to the lady behind the counter.”

And that’s when the store manager went totally ballistic, came around from behind the counter and confronted me.’

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