A Florida pro-transgender activist is demanding an apology from Southern grocery chain Publix after a bakery worker refused to put “trans people deserve happiness” as the icing on a cake.
Yasmin Flasterstein, 28, bought the cake as part of her work for an Orlando nonprofit called Peer Support Space, which helps vulnerable people with mental illness, trauma and other issues.
In late April she was working on a members drive to produce care packages for transgender people and wanted to add a cake to celebrate as part of the Spread Trans Joy campaign.
She went to a Publix location on Colonial Drive in Orlando and asked for the label “trans people deserve happiness,” when Flasterstein said she received a confused look from the bakery clerk.
Flasterstein — who isn’t transgender but co-founded Peer Support Space with a transgender friend — claims she was given a cake that just said, “People deserve happiness,” and asked to speak to the manager .
A Florida pro-transgender activist is demanding an apology from Southern grocery chain Publix after a bakery worker refused to put “trans people deserve happiness” as the icing on a cake
After writing about the incident on Facebook, she received replies in the comments section of Publix’s Facebook account
Flasterstein claimed that the bakery manager seemed “on the verge of crying,” and offered her space on top of the cake and frosting so she could write it herself
“They couldn’t write on the cake ‘trans people deserve happiness,’ because that would mean taking a stand, and Publix isn’t allowed to take a stand on this issue,” she told Orlando Weekly.
She argued that refusing to write the word “trans” on the cake signaled to them “they are not worthy of the joy” and that it was an attitude.
Flasterstein claimed that the bakery manager seemed “on the verge of crying,” and offered her space on top of the cake and frosting so she could write it herself.
After writing about the incident on Facebook, she received replies in the comments section of Publix’s Facebook account.
“We are sorry that our staff did not adequately process your request. Please message us for more details and we’ll be happy to bake the cake,” the account reads.
She replied, “I appreciate the apology.” I’m glad Publix wants to write, “Trans people deserve happiness on a cake.” But I think her apology isn’t what we’re going to say in response to, what happened.”
Flasterstein added that she wanted the company to be “held accountable” to its policies for the confusion this caused and to make sure it didn’t happen again.
Yasmin Flasterstein, 28, bought the cake as part of her work for an Orlando nonprofit called Peer Support Space, which helps vulnerable people with mental illness, trauma and other issues
In late April, she was working on a members’ drive to create care packages for transgender people and wanted to add a cake to celebrate as part of the Spread Trans Joy campaign.
She has since contacted the company via email and says she has received mixed messages.
“They said they would retrain the team,” Flasterstein said. “But I want to know who’s being retrained.” Retrained to what? What does this training look like?’
She added that she felt trans people were being attacked and that they wanted companies to show they were on the side of the transgender community.
“The LGBTQ+ community, the trans community, a lot of communities are being bullied and targeted right now.” And I wanted people to know that there are people in their organizations who care about them,” she said. “I don’t care if it’s about a cake. Even if it’s a cake, there are people who care about you,” she told WESH.
Flasterstein said the organization had previously used Publix “many times for large events because it’s quick, easy and affordable,” but has no plans to do business with them again.
Flasterstein believes that transgender people are under attack and they want companies to show they are on the side of the transgender community
Flasterstein said the organization had previously used Publix “many times for large events because it’s quick, easy and affordable,” but has no plans to do business with them again
In an email from Publix’s public affairs office, the chain sincerely apologized to Flasterstein.
“We’re often asked to create specialty cakes using freehand designs.” Our policies indicate that our employees may make statements that are not copyrighted or trademarked, support a charitable cause, are factual, and have a positive connotation.
“As we implied in our Facebook conversation, our staff should have complied with your request.”
has reached out to Publix national and regional spokespersons for comment.