Tesco has been accused of letting cashiers “openly insult” customers with the transgender shirt slogan

Tesco has been accused of allowing a cashier to “blatantly” insult customers by wearing a Pride-themed top at work. It came when a member of staff was seen wearing a T-shirt during a Cornwall Pride event with a slogan and colors in support of transgender women.

The “sisters not cisters” shirt is a slogan of LGBTQ+ allies that is usually used as an expression to support all women, rather than just advocating for the rights of biological women. A “cister” refers to people whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth.

But it left people divided, with some unsure whether it was a message of support during Falmouth’s 50th Cornwall Pride march celebrations or whether it was hateful towards non-transgender people. Taking to Twitter, one user asked Tesco why it was allowing staff to wear the shirt to work and said it was “openly insulting to customers”.

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Anonymous user X, known only as ‘Dr P’ shared an image of the shirt on the ex-Twitter site, saying: ‘Why is the cashier at your Express store in Event Square, Falmouth wearing this shirt while serving the public? : “Sisters, not cis-ters” Is it corporate policy to openly and openly insult customers?” They added: “Why would your staff allow this?”

The phrase derives from the full original quote “support your sisters not just your cis-ters,” but shortening it left people thinking it might be intentionally hateful to non-transgender people, regardless of their beliefs. Some said it forced biological women to accept that transgender women are the same. Others were completely against the message.

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Among the reactions was:

“The Falmouth of my childhood was full of fishermen and beautiful Cornish people. It is now a cesspool of middle-class artists, obnoxious students, and morally impotent cultists. It is so sad. I wonder what Grandpa would think if he saw it today. “

“Women should start crying at the cashier where this cashier serves saying she hurt our feelings, we feel safe, we are afraid! Give them their own dose!”

“That shit is deeply offensive. I’d complain right away.”

“@Tesco shame on you! Don’t you understand how awful it is to be called cis – name made up to insult real women? It shows that Tesco is extremely misogynistic and you can forget my custom.”

Others said that “cis” was not an insult and that the shirt was misunderstood.

Tesco responded to concerns by saying everyone is welcome at Tesco and said the supermarket chain wants people from all communities to thrive, feel they belong and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates the diversity of colleagues and customers .

It also added that all staff are expected to come to work following the dress code policy, ensuring all colleagues are appropriate for work, wearing the uniform required for their department and any safety clothing that is required for their role.