The "Caitlyn Jenner" Halloween Costume had landed online for sale. Meanwhile, netizens expressed their outraged via social media, calling it "transphobic and disgraceful" and an insult to the LGBT community.
The former Olympian took a high leap in being a transgender after her Vanity Fair cover was issued earlier this year. Spirit Halloween, on the other hand, depicted Jenner's appearance by remaking the cover. They released the unisex costume online which includes "shorts, a padded top, wig and a pageant sash that says 'Call Me Caitlyn.'"
The costume drew negative reaction from netizens afterwards, which became a hit trend on Tuesday. Some of them even accused the website for being transphobic. Tweets are compiled and can be seen via The Wrap.
Aside from twitter blasts, a petition has been submitted in Change.org, citing to halt the entire production for the controversial halloween outfit. The petition had already reached more than 4,000 signatures, Reuters reported. Activist Addison Rose Vincent initiated the signature campaign.
"Trans is not a costume. Even though Caitlyn is a public figure and I could understand someone wanting to celebrate her as a hero and as a public figure, this could definitely take on a transphobic vibe," he explained in an interview.
Agreeing with Vincent are some of the notable transgender organization that promotes equality.
National Center for Transgender Equality spokesperson Vincent Villano sarcastically noted that using Caitlyn Jenner's Vanity Fair outfit as a Halloween costume seems to respect transgenders for a night where everyone pretends to be "villains and monsters," quoted from USA Today.
On the other hand, Spirit Halloween's spokeswoman Lisa Barr claimed that they have been creating a wide variety of costumes based on celebrities and public figures; and Caitlyn Jenner is just like that.
"We create a wide range of costumes that are often based on celebrities, public figures, heroes and superheroes, Caitlyn Jenner is all of the above and our Caitlyn-inspired costume reflects just that," she stated.
The outfit in question is still available through retail sites like Anytime Costumes and Wholesale Halloween Costumes.
Caitlyn Jenner has yet to comment on the issue.
