Hell's cookie message leaves a sour taste

Posted in: New Zealand Daily News
By GayNZ.com Daily News staff - 4th December 2011

Hell Pizza is feeling the wrath of many angry customers after including the fate "You Will Marry a Transgender" in some of its new "Misfortune" Cookies.

The company which has never been afraid to offend is facing a backlash on its Facebook page from people who are outraged.

They include Tamsyn Clemerson, who has posted a picture of the offending statement online, and written: "Rick rolls? Fine. Ragging on politicians and other public figures? Fine. But demeaning an extremely vulnerable sector of our population? That's pretty shit, Hells [sic], and I'm really disappointed to find that your company is promoting bigotry under an oh-so-thin veneer of 'humour'."

Kyra Wilder has posted on Hell's Facebook page, "Wow... I'm sad that in the 21st century, 'You will marry a transgender' would be considered a misfortune. Definitely do not support this company if they cannot support everyone."

Rebecca Shannon has added: "Can someone please explain why Hell thinks that it's appropriate to perpetuate bigotry against members of the GLBT community with your misfortune cookies that say 'you will marry a transgender'. This is disgusting, narrow-minded bigotry, and it's disappointing to see it coming from Hell Pizza. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

There is a flood of comments, with many customers adding they will now take their business elsewhere.