Some Retailers Pull Halloween ‘Tranny Granny' Costume After It Sparks Outrage

The “Tranny Granny” costume, which was being sold by several retailers this year and last

Halloween has provided a great excuse to dress up in silly costumes and eat a ton of sweets while watching horror films. But the sugar-fueled holiday also has a potential to offend. 

Enter the “Tranny Granny” costume, which was being sold by several retailers this year and last. After facing complaints, Walmart removed the listing from its website because it “obviously” violated its terms of service for third-party retailers, the company told LGBTQNation. “While it’s listed on other sites, it clearly violates our policy and was quickly removed once we were notified. We’re appalled this seller put it on our site to begin with,” a representative for the superstore said.

Target pulled the product on Wednesday.

"As a part of our Halloween assortment, we offered a costume that was called 'Women's Granny Costume' in our women’s online costume assortment," a Target representative said. "It recently came to our attention that other websites were selling the costume under a different description. While Target had not received any complaints, out of respect for public concerns people have raised, we made the decision to remove this item from our assortment."

On Amazon, the company pulled the male version of the costume but "Rasta Imposta girls Kids Grandma Costume," which looks very similar to the adult version, was still available Friday afternoon. 

Spirit Halloween came under fire last year for offering the “Tranny Granny” costume. The store has renamed it “Adult Granny Costume” and continues to feature it online. A man with a cigarette hanging from painted lips wears a floral print dress and head scarf, broom in hand. The description reads, “Slap on some makeup and get ready for your granny walk and you will have the room roaring with laughter!” 

The costume has sparked an outcry on social media. One Twitter user wrote, "Walmart and Amazon pull #trannygranny costume. You think?! Marginalized identities aren't for you amusement." Another said the get-up was "everything that is wrong about retail right now."

“Tranny Granny” is not the first controversy this Halloween shopping season. Disney recently pulled a “Moana” costume from its stores after critics claimed it promoted black face.

NBC has reached out to Amazon, Walmart and Spirit Halloween for comment. 

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