Lush slammed for ‘celebrating’ trans surgery

A Lush shop window mural has come under fire for promoting double mastectomies for gender-confused women.

Artwork at the cosmetic retailer’s Chelmsford store depicts a cartoon tiger emblazoned in the colours of the transgender flag, sporting the scars of breast surgery, and bearing the slogan: “Proud of My Stripes”.

In 2021, Lush was criticised for promoting breast-binders to customers.

Disrespectful

Journalist and women’s rights campaigner Janet Murray called for the painting — installed ahead of ‘Essex Pride’ — to be removed.

She explained to Lush: “As a woman who had half a breast removed last year due to cancer, I am writing to raise my concerns about your ‘Proud of My Stripes’ window display.”

“Because mastectomies are not a fashion statement, an identity marker or something to be celebrated.

“They are something women undergo because they are ill, because they are frightened, because they are trying to stay alive.”

She added: “Breast removal surgery is not something I regard as cute, playful or empowering. Nor is it something I believe retailers should be celebrating.”

‘Deeply offensive’

The artist, trans activist Bucky Ringsell, who describes herself as non-binary, accused her critics of being “transphobic nutters” and said it had been designed to “represent trans folks” who had undergone the surgery, like herself.

She claimed: “Being proud of your scars (aka stripes) is something everyone can take inspiration from, regardless of your journey”.

While controversial medic Dr Helen Webberley, founder of trans-affirming clinic GenderGP, stated: “No teenage girls are having their healthy breasts removed, just teenage boys are having their gynaecomastia resolved so they can live in freedom in their bodies.”

But Sex Matters’ Helen Joyce described the mural’s messaging as “disturbing”, “harmful”, and “deeply offensive to women who have undergone mastectomy because of cancer”.