Opposing Views reports that 2nd Base Espresso, a bikini barista stand in Spokane’s Hillyard neighborhood, removed a reader‑board message that included a derogatory statement about transgender women and a slur targeting people with intellectual disabilities. The outlet says images of the sign spread widely on social media and drew strong criticism.
Online backlash and platform responses
According to Opposing Views, Yelp temporarily stopped allowing new reviews on the stand’s page as attention surged, and the business’s Google rating declined amid negative feedback. By “Wednesday, July 15,” the disputed sign had reportedly been taken down and replaced with a different message containing profanity, the outlet reported.
Protest and political response
Opposing Views says Hillyard resident Elbe Seaton organized a protest outside 2nd Base Espresso on “Sunday, July 19,” noting Seaton is openly queer and has a child with special needs. The outlet reports the goal was to show support for LGBTQ+ residents and others who felt targeted by the messaging.
KXLY reporters also posted about the controversy on social media. Drew Reeves shared a photo of the reader board on May 8, 2017. Angela Jara later posted about a protest and counter‑protest outside the stand.
Spokane City Councilwoman Sarah Dixit told Opposing Views that residents had contacted her about the situation and that she opposed the message. She also noted, per the outlet, that the city cannot regulate speech on a private business’s sign, while adding she did not want the incident to define Hillyard.
Earlier signage controversies
Opposing Views reports the stand has faced criticism over its signs before, including a 2017 message opponents described as racist. The outlet also cites Yelp photos that appeared to show additional signs joking about gay people, transgender women, and immigration enforcement, including references to ICE deportations.
What we can’t confirm
Warren County Minute has not independently verified the sign content, the dates of removal and replacement, the platform actions described, or the details of the demonstration. Key dates in the source material are inconsistent or incomplete, and some claims rely on third‑party posts.
