Two hot-topic Halloween costumes causing controversy
This year’s top controversies are being turned into Halloween costumes.
One Southern California-based company is making the big bucks because of it.
This year the hot-ticket items from costume company Costumeish are a Caitlyn Jenner costume and a Cecil the Lion costume, which comes complete with a severed lion head.
The costume company said it’s all in good fun.
“It’s one day a year. It’s one day where you can be anything anyone you want,” said general manager Jenell Abate.
The lion-killer costume is in such high demand the company raised the price and as of Thursday, it’s sold out.
Abate said while it might not seem like it, there is a line they won’t cross.
“We had suggestions to make an ISIS costume and we absolutely rejected it,” Abate said.
While the company said it makes costumes people want, Thomi Clinton said with the transgender communities’ suicide rates, this costume is no laughing matter.
“If these people would actually educate themselves, especially these costume people, or even talk to a trans person, I think they would have a better understanding of what they’re doing. It’s the same as making fun of suicide victims or sexual assault victims,” Clinton said.
Other people said some people were being too sensitive.
“I think the Cait Jenner costume is just funny. Nothing against her,” said Linda Clendenon, who lives in Palm Desert.
“I think it’s just Halloween, it should be just Halloween. I think people would keep their opinion to themselves,” said Steve Albanese, who lives in Palm Desert.
Clinton disagrees with those opinions.
“They don’t need to promote this animal cruelty, because you’re saying that that is okay,” Clinton said.
The company is trying to do something positive with the sales of the Cecil costume.
Costumish said 15 percent of the gross sales from the Cecil the Lion costume are actually going to the National Wildlife Foundation.
While the company received numerous complaints, it said it doesn’t plan on discontinuing the costumes anytime soon.
