Alongside a photo of the Keeping up with the Kardashians star, who transitioned into a woman this year, the company used the sentence: ‘I hope your sack is fuller than mine this Christmas.’
The signage company, named Cranium Signage, were quickly criticised for being ‘tasteless, crass, insulting and vile,’ by an LGBT support group.
Emailing the company’s director, the group wrote:
‘I love funny billboards and even love those that push the boundaries however this billboard only suggests that you are a homophobic, redneck, conservative company full of small minded morons who get a kick out of making fun of a group of people who feature highly in our suicide statistics and who struggle every day for acceptance within our society.’
Quickly realising their mistake, the director of the company Phillip Garratt said he meant no offence by the billboard, and alleged the woman who had complained had a ‘sick mind.’
We apologize to all those who have been offended by our sign. It was very poor judgement on our part.We have made a donation to Rainbow Youth who support queer & gender diverse youth in New Zealand. > >
Posted by [Cranium Signage](https://www.facebook.com/Cranium-Signage-511974625511841/) on [Wednesday, December 2, 2015](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1039608559415109&id=511974625511841)
‘We live in a world with difference and I no way discriminate against anyone. I have gay and transgender friends. I think you may need to take a look at yourself and relax a bit and not take life so seriously. I was referring to a santa sack your sick mind is the problem,’ wrote the response.
However, yesterday the owner took to the group’s official Facebook page to make this statement:
‘Good evening,
We have removed our post and are now removing the sign tonight due to people taking offence. It was not our intention to offend any people in the community/world. I as the owner have no feelings of discrimination to the Gay or transgender community and if one of my family was I would love them just the same. Cait is more then welcome to stay at my house with my family anytime. I will have a wine or a beer with her quite happily and it would be an honour.
Lots of love Phil wishing you all a Merry Christmas.’
Do you think this was just a light-hearted joke, or is this insulting to the transgender community?