Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

Starbucks holiday cup sparks social media buzz over lesbian hands theory

speculation started after the company released its seasonal commercial

Published

9 years ago

on

Starbucks’ annual holiday cups are causing controversy once again, but this time the scandal involves two people holding hands.

The rest of the pair’s bodies aren’t shown on the cup, which features other holiday doodles like a Christmas tree and presents, leading some people to speculate they are the hands of a lesbian couple.

The theory may have started from Starbucks’ holiday commercial which appears to feature a lesbian couple sharing a cup of coffee and leaning in for a kiss. Social media started to connect the dots and theorized that the hand-holding couple on the cup is the same from the commercial.

While some people were excited about the possible inclusion, others weren’t happy that Starbucks may have put a lesbian couple on the cup.

The speculation increased when the coffee company appeared to confirm the holding hands are a same-sex couple on Twitter. One user tweeted Starbucks calling the cups “great” for including a lesbian couple.

“We’re happy you enjoy the new campaign, Rufus,” Starbucks tweeted back.

Ultimately, Starbucks is letting customers decide how to interpret the cups.

“This year’s hand-drawn cup features scenes of celebrating with loved ones — whoever they may be,” Sanja Gould, Starbucks’ spokeswoman, said in a statement to the New York Times. “We intentionally designed the cup so our customers can interpret it in their own way, adding their own color and illustrations.”

 

Related Topics:
Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch

2026 Capital Pride Honors presented at ‘Full Fuchsia’ ceremony

Published

1 day ago

on

June 12, 2026

By

The 2026 Capital Pride Honors were presented at The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia on Sunday, June 7. (Washington Blade photo by Landon Shackelford)

The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.

(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)

Continue Reading

Out & About

Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves

Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community

Published

1 day ago

on

June 12, 2026

By

(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.

The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.

This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.

For more details, visit the cemetery’s website. 

Continue Reading

Out & About

Baltimore Pride is here

Parade, block party, festival planned for Maryland city

Published

1 day ago

on

June 12, 2026

By

A scene from last year’s Baltimore Pride. This year’s main events take place on Saturday and Sunday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.

The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.

There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events. 

For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website. 

Continue Reading

Popular