A Starbucks patron’s hateful and anti-gay tirade gained traction on social media after she accused a same-s*x couple at a Florida coffee shop of grooming children.
The woman’s prejudiced outburst was met with astonishment and disapproval from staff and other customers present.
The now-notorious video, shared by Cassie Urry on TikTok on Sunday, has since amassed nearly 7 million views by Tuesday.
In an interview with The Daily Beast, Urry recounted how she and her girlfriend, Lorrin Skrbec, had journeyed to Miami for a cruise to the Bahamas and stopped at a Starbucks in Coral Gables on March 6.
Urry sensed that something was amiss in the store’s ambiance and soon realized that everyone was gazing at a woman who was loudly expressing racist and anti-Asian sentiments.
When Skrbec verbally intervened, Urry opted to record the incident on her phone.
The video captures the blonde woman, sporting glasses and a lime green dress, making unfounded accusations against the same-s*x couple.
She insinuates that homos*xuality is evil and leads to child s*xual assault, prompting staff and customers to speak out against her hateful words. Despite the rebuttal, the woman remains unapologetic and even ridicules the couple for filming her.
The clip culminates with the store’s manager stepping in to address the situation, but Urry and Skrbec were understandably shaken by the incident.
The intolerant diatribe has rightfully been condemned, and the woman’s identity remains unknown at this time.
Following the distressing incident, Urry disclosed that both she and her girlfriend were left in a state of shock.
The situation had left them feeling incensed and overwhelmed with a range of emotions, but they knew that responding aggressively would not help the situation.
Urry acknowledged that it was impossible to reason with the woman as her beliefs were rooted in hate and bigotry. Consequently, they opted to maintain their composure and not engage further with the woman.
According to Urry, the Starbucks staff were prompt to check on them and ensure that they were okay after the encounter. The coffee chain has also taken a stand against the woman’s hateful behavior.
A Starbucks spokesperson stated that the company does not tolerate discrimination and that women are no longer welcome in their stores.
Despite the unsettling event, the couple resolved not to let it spoil their vacation. They focused on savoring each other’s company and making the most of their trip.
Urry emphasized that it was crucial to put the incident behind them and not let it affect their time away.
