PSA: Don't go as Caitlyn Jenner for Halloween

This Halloween is sure to result in some inspired Halloween costumes. One costume that’s not inspired? Caitlyn Jenner.

Freelance journalist William Turton snapped this photo at a Spirit Halloween store in Virginia featuring costumes for “The Olympian” and “Caitlyn,” which is clearly based on the iconic Vanity Fair cover featuring Jenner published this summer.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO THIS IS NOT CELEBRATING pic.twitter.com/jIuvXiHlZt

— William Turton (@WilliamTurton) October 26, 2015

For anyone debating whether or not to buy or make their own Caitlyn Jenner costume: don’t. Don’t wear a transphobic costume.

In August, a spokesperson for Spirit Halloween told the New York Daily News :of its plans to carry Caitlyn Jenner costumes this October. “Caitlyn Jenner has proven to be the most important real-life superhero of the year,” PR head Trisha Lombardo told the Post, “and Spirit Halloween is proud to carry the costume that celebrates her.”

But Nick Adams, GLAAD’s director of programs for transgender media, explained to the Washington Post why a Jenner costume is insensitive:

If a man wears the costume with the intention of mocking Caitlyn Jenner, and by extension all transgender women, that is just mean-spirited and unacceptable.

If early results are any indication, it appears more people are siding with Spirit than with GLAAD. Caitlyn Jenner is one of the most-searched costumes on Google right now, and several wholesalers are reporting it as the best-selling costume, too.

However, most stores in New York have refused to carry the costume. Tony Bianchi of Halloween Adventure in the East Village told the New York Post that’s it isn’t a matter of offense, but novelty.

“People cross-dress anyway. What’s the difference?” he asked.

The difference was neatly summed up by Adams in his interview with the Washington Post.

“Transgender women are women,” Adams said, “and when Caitlyn Jenner or any other trans woman steps out into the world as her authentic self, she isn’t wearing a costume.”

So: Don’t dress up as Caitlyn Jenner for Halloween. As the New York Post points out, there are plenty of other options for revelers looking for a topical outfit.

[h/t William Turton]

David Matthews operates the Wayback Machine on Fusion.net—hop on. Got a tip? Email him: [email protected]