Lush warns customers not to enter shop if they 'show signs' of transphobia or racism

A Lush store in Edinburgh has put a sign outside its door asking customers not to enter if they are showing signs of “Covid-19, racism, homophobia, sexism or transphobia”.

The sign, which went up on 3 August, was installed after the store was “targeted by a transphobic group”, Lush explained in a Facebook post.

“Our store is a space for compassion and respect for all, and we will not condone or support acts of hate,” the company said.

“If you are showing signs of Covid-19 please follow government guidelines to isolate and get tested,” it added.

“If you are showing signs of any of racism, homophobia, sexism or transphobia, we recommend you isolate and educate yourself.”

It comes after Lush invited people into its shops to wash their hands for free to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the UK in early March, prior to lockdown.

“Since we’re universally known as ‘that soap shop’, from Friday 28 February we’re using our shop windows to promote the hand-washing guidelines as advised by the NHS in the UK and other public health organisations around the world,” the company said in a statement at the time.

“The winter months are always a time when hand hygiene matters because coughs and colds pass around, but the current situation with the spread of the new Coronavirus means that it is more important than ever that people regularly wash their hands and observe best practice.

“It is also important that people understand the full, effective routine of washing as advised by the health authorities to maximise the removal of germs.”

The company statement continued to stress the importance of preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The sign is not a nationwide policy for all Lush stores.

Read more

Bookshop donates to trans charity every time it sells JK Rowling book