A San Diego woman who deemed it necessary to publicly call out a Starbucks barista after he informed her, per legal guidelines, she must wear a mask to receive service has seen her actions backfire in a big way. And this Karen is pissed.
Self-described anti-vaxxer Amber Lynn Gilles says she was “discriminated against” by barista Lenin for refusing to cover her face inside the business, and took her eye-rolling indignation to Facebook:
“Meet lenen [sic] from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause I’m not wearing a mask. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption,” she wrote, sharing a photo of the appropriately masked employee:
Meet lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause I’m not wearing a mask. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption.
Posted by Amber Lynn Gilles on Monday, June 22, 2020
But instead of validation, Gilles watched as a GoFundMe campaign was launched in support of Lenin doing the right thing. It has raised over $38K as of this post.
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Now — and this part really is rich — Gilles says she wants some of that money. She’s also reportedly threatening to sue the GoFundMe creator for defamation and slander, but she really should have spoken to a lawyer about what defamation and slander are before making that threat.
While she won’t certainly won’t be receiving a penny or her day in court, here’s what she did get in return: a barrage of comments from folks baffled by her choices.
Here’s a sampling:
— Listen, Karen, if you can’t be bothered to wear a f**king mask for 10 minutes out of consideration for *other people* AND because it’s store policy, then you’re not only rude, you’re incredibly selfish. News flash: everything isn’t about you
— You’re in the store for 10 minutes max to wait for coffee, not taking a trip to Mars for 6 months.
— Are you really crying cause you had to wear a mask for 10 minutes to get coffee then leave? Is it really that hard? Just wear the mask, get your coffee then take it off when you leave Karen, Jesus Christ.
— You are a privileged mess. It’s almost satire how incredibly aloof you seem.
For his part, Lenin posted a message of gratitude (complete with a mask) for everyone who defended and tipped him:
San Diego, like so many cities across the country, has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases in recent days. The face coverings requirement in San Diego County has been in effect since early May.
Mister P
She also has to wear clothes in Starbucks. Why isn’t she angry about that?
fur_hunter
Very interesting point….Thank you. I’m still laughing. I love your post.
rockland2u
Good point, and being a nudist wouldn’t even kill anybody, wearing a mask briefly is such a nothing, don’t like STORE policy or county regulations? Drink at home. Your buying the coffee, not the store. Deal with it
bjohnmasters
I keep asking these people why they aren’t showing the courage of their convictions and going into businesses sans shirt and shoes. They try to claim “that’s different.” I don’t see the difference. It’s a public health rule. In California, I believe they’ve made it a rule there too, not just a policy of Starbucks. So, it really is the same thing. But hey, these kind of folks have never been known for letting facts get in their way.
jaack
Has Karen forgotten she is on PRIVATE property under the control of the owner? She could be carrying deadly Corona19 virus and her refusing to protect us from her could be deadly to the employees and other customers. If I were the owner, I would kindly ask her to not do business with my store. My employees and customers are far more valuable than her business. Karen forgets a business may refuse service to anyone. Karen is not entitled to endanger the health of others. It has nothing to do with anything else.
fur_hunter
Some folks feel they are entitled because they are self-centered, pieces of S hit, A ss holes and in this instance, a C unt! Maybe the Darwin Effect will come into play with this imbecile.
marshal phillips
fur_hunter used the S, A, and C words… appropriately.
rockland2u
Yep, I bet these same people supported the bakery’s right to refuse service to anyone based on there orientation, but now that it’s turned around and you need to wear a mask for just a second to pick up your coffee, it’s discrimination hahahaha
cb225
Agree absolutely 100%
Guarantee she’s a Trump supporter.
Dumb Ho
butchqueen
Stupid bitch deleted her FB page!!!
jmg619
Dammit! I was going to put her on blast too!
NateOcean
First rule: screen-shot the stuff.
(you just know they gonna delete it)
RyanMBecker
NateOcean,
Many people did indeed screenshot her page. In response to Lenin’s video, one woman even uploaded evidence that helps Lenin in any lawsuit. Basically, she admitted to cursing the place out, just as Lenin described.
Roan
See You Next Tuesday
tjack47
I’m so proud of him. My mother has breast cancer. She’s about to begin radiation therapy. I am high risk. I have diabetes and asthma. I’m Mom’s primary caregiver. She can’t afford for either of us to contract the virus. No one, maybe 1% or less, here is wearing masks. It’s about the pursuit of happiness by not dying. It’s about empathy.
We wear masks. They provide us protection, but mostly, they protect “Karen”, “Joe” and their kids, parents, grandparents, friends any loved one. I always say, even though I’m an atheist, “WWJD?”
Dunnedin
Unfortunately she wouldn’t think of that…but she did think of WWKD and did that
QDaBirdz1st
Gilles wants a “medical exemption” that will allow her to legally inflict her mask-less self upon others. Given her behavior, she definitely has an underlying, if not qualifying, medical condition: anencephaly.
roddy
She needs a note from her psychiatrist as to why she’s so unstable and greedy!
Desiderata
Ah, in an Oregon county blacks can choose not to wear masks, but everyone else HAS to. Is it sensible to have policies that give extra rights based on the colour of your skin?
Mack
I have a very low oxygen level and have COPD. While it hard for me to breathe wearing a mask-I WEAR A MASK when I go into any store or if there are going to be other people around. I’m having a few repairs being done in my house AND I’M WEARING A MASK, in my own F’KING HOUSE. I do so because there are others who have to work and they have families. Everyone without a mask put those people in danger because of their STUPIDITY. And if I’m not mistaken in California it’s required.
Nomorjeans
I love Hearing happy ending! It’s about time people recognize the safety for individuals!
The real Bruce
Amber Lynn lives in a part of California (San Diego?) that has seen an idiotic reluctance to wearing face coverings or social distancing. Orange County is another. Now they are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases. DUH! The state has a MANDITORY requirement to do these things. We will soon see another stay at home issue, just when we thought we could relax just a tiny bit. But selfish fools like Ms. Gilles are making it tough for all of us. I hate to say it, but if she gets this virus, it will almost be poetic justice.
Desiderata
How many people were out protesting 2 to 4 weeks ago? Majority of people who get infected are infecting others within 4 days. The R0 is somewhere between 2.X and 6.X. Super spreaders are towards 20, with the right conditions.
Why do the protestors get a free pass for creating ideal tranmission conidtions?
Vortece
@ Desiderata : Were the protesters wearing masks? Because you haven’t mentioned anything about protesters refusing to wear masks and that’s kinda the big gripe here. No one is upset that she’s going out for Starbucks, only that she is refusing to wear a mask.
Cam
@Desiderata
The protesters were wearing masks and using hand sanitizer. In case you hadn’t noticed, the latest clusters are coming from churches and businesses. not from protests that have been going on for weeks.
Kangol2
@Desiderata, were you at any of the protests? Because I was and I can assure you, most people I’ve seen have been and still are wearing masks, some latex gloves, using hand sanitizers, and Lysol/Chlorox wipes, etc. I can’t speak about the more violent incidents, but at the peaceful protests, those participating have been taking precautions, especially people 35+ and older.
chrispy33
Another big difference – according to everything I’ve read it is much harder to transmit the virus outdoors (demonstrating) than indoors (Starbucks).
Denny98
Some people just don’t understand we’re in the middle of a health crisis, and she would be the first to complain if she got sick.
I will say this though – the barista, even with a mask on sure is cute.
RyanMBecker
Go to the GoFundMe page and watch his $10,000 Thank You video. Sweet kid.
jockboy1986
Yes, he’s cute. You can see him unmasked as well as tastefully naked, and in a dance belt, at his Facebook page. His most recent video, posted just a few days ago explains his side of the story, and thanks everyone for helping him pursue dance. He also says that he teaches dance to little children. He has a very sweet face, and a swimmer/dancer’s build. And as a Latino, he is expectedly uncut. The nude shots are artistic so don’t expect anything pornographic (otherwise Facebook would take them down). There is video of him walking hand in hand with another guy but also footage of him kissing a girl so who knows which way he swings.
lambchopp59
Oh my so in agreement there, not only impressed by the actions but would love to see more as jockboy suggests here. But being estranged from Facebook for their refusal to get their ugly racists under reasonable TOS control over 10 years ago now, I’m completely Bookface free.
jonasalden
True! But I didn’t know how appropriate it was to say. Then I remembered this is Queerty!
RyanMBecker
And he is apparently gay, or at least bi, and out for a long time. Or at least he was gay at one point. In 2013, when he was barely pubescent, he posted this on Facebook, dated July 2, 2013:
“Lea is so hot. Every guy needs to message her right now. I like boys.”
RyanMBecker
Whether this is gay-related is debatable. But being cute is usually good enough for Queerty. LOL. But there’s more. For what it’s worth, Lenin Gutierrez says that the money will fulfill his dream of becoming a dancer. Draw your own conclusions…
RyanMBecker
Okay, he’s gay, or at least bi. Or at least he was gay at one point. In 2013, when he was barely pubescent, he posted this on Facebook, dated July 2, 2013:
“Lea is so hot. Every guy needs to message her right now. I like boys.”
Okay, this story is then appropriately gay-related.
Reth
Given that both times this appears on his feed (july 2, Jan 2), there’s a reference to Lea being hot, I’m gonna say she’s posting these after he left his computer unlocked.
MajorTom
I would love to see her take it to court. Perhaps a judge, while dismissing her frivolous ass, would issue her a stay-at-home order in the form of house arrest for violating the mask order.
RyanMBecker
Even sweeter is ordering her to reimburse Lenin’s legal costs for this frivolous lawsuit. Lenin has thus far stayed silent, on advice of Starbucks management. Starbucks has said nothing about her. The GoFundMe page focuses on Lenin, not her. In other words, her claims of defamation has no basis in fact. All the negative feedback she’s getting resulted from her own Facebook post, shaming Lenin. So yeah, I’d love to see her sue.
RyanMBecker
Here’s a little more info on this modern fairy tale (no pun intended?). The barista’s name is Lenin Gutierrez. He has thus far remained silent because of advice from Starbucks management (keep in mind that the woman is threatening to sue). The stranger who set up the GoFundMe is Matt Cowan. He was inspired to do so after seeing all the comments saying that Lenin deserves a tip. Cowan was hoping to get $100, maybe $250 tops. You can sense his shock with each GoFundMe update. They are a fun read. You can even see the chat where Cowan made contact with Lenin. Lenin submitted the Thank You photo at $5000. Then he submitted a Thank You video at $10,000. Sexy! It currently stands at $48,675.
You can see a TV interview with the fundraiser, Matt Cowan, by searching on “GoFundMe started for San Diego barista after woman posts about not wearing mask at Starbucks” by Leah Pezzetti. But definitely read the updates at GoFundMe. It promises photos or videos of the moment Cowan gives the money to Lenin.
RyanMBecker
Check out the comments, and especially the photos, from the GoFundMe donors. Two photos are gay, which suggests that maybe Lenin is openly gay? Many donations come from fellow baristas, who don’t make much money but see themselves in Lenin. And many support Lenin’s decision to use the money for a career in dance. The following comment (with an accompanying photo) is my favorite, and it inspires me to tip generously the next time I’m in Starbuck. She reminds us that behind the barista apron are people with dreams and untapped talents.
—
Olivia Raney , Donated $10
From one barrista to another: I read that you’re pursuing dance. There’s so many talented creative souls serving in green aprons, working hard for the chance to pursue their passion. Whether it’s dance or something else, I’m so glad to see one of us get the chance to get up and out of here to do something they love.
Kevan1
God continue to bless this guy and all of us trying to do the right thing. Gay, straight, bisexual, trans, Intersex ,Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Christian. agnostic, atheist whatever.
frapachino
Queert needs to check their racism and misogyny “Karen’s” is a racist term as well as misogynistic!
pavel20
The fact that you would post this inane comment shows you have neither the understanding or the experience of what dealing with racism or misogyny is all about.
ScottOnEarth
Shut up, Karen.
Kangol2
FrapaKaren, please, cut back on the hysteria. Oh, and wash your hood, girl, that’s not a cute look!
Desiderata
Wow. I wonder if the woman had been a POC if Queerty would use the mysoginistic and racist slur Karen to describe them?
A true test of charachter is to stand up for the rights of those you disagree with. How can Queerty claim to fight against bigotry based on sex, sexual identity etc, but then use the term Karen?
Rules for thee but not for me?
pavel20
See comment above.
Dunnedin
I agree. One of my first girlfriends (when I was 10 and thought myself straight) was named Karen and resent it being besmirched by using it to refer to such trash as this woman. I know, how about Desiderata?
jockboy1986
Er, no, while it may be insulting to people named Karen, it is neither racist nor misogynistic. It describes an actual demographic which is mostly composed of white women who complains about others doing mundane things, usually because of the target’s race or socioeconomics. The term does not say that all or even most white women are this way. The term is SPECIFIC, not a GENERALIZATION, which is the hallmark of racism. THINK about it.
jockboy1986
Desiderata: “A true test of charachter [sic] is to stand up for the rights of those you disagree with.”
Er, whose “rights” were taken away or threatened? Huh?
Desiderata
@jockboy
It describes an actual demographic which is mostly composed of white women who complains about others doing mundane things, usually because of the target’s race or socioeconomics.
So you’re freely admitting the slur karen is racist (targets white skin colour) and mysoginistic (targets women). Why not use the C word instead?
Lets reowrd it slighlty to:
it (racial / sexist slur) describes an actual demographic which is motly composed of black (insert sexual idetiity) who does (insert streotypical action ascribed to the group characteristics the person is part of based on immutable characterists), usually because of the target’s race or social status.
It is easy to defend those you agree with. it is much harder to have empathy and compassion for those you don’t.
I stand by the prinicipal that slurs targetting someone because of their immutable characteristics is wrong.
It seems you soometimes think it’s wrong, sometimes think it’s perfectly acceptable. That seems to be mor similar to the 1950s than the future I want.
peterblaise
In response to Desiderata who considers the epithet “Karen” to be racist and sexist, because it is an acquired term for white women who abuse white female privilege by denigrating everyone as servants beneath them, calling the police against people for extra-legal reasons, and so on …
… gosh, Desiderata, “Karen” is short for “Karen Karen Karen”, and not all KKK are white men, let’s not be sexist, let’s be inclusive, some KKK are white women,
… but perhaps we could simply call such people “Amber Lynn Gilles-ish” from here on, though the folks who step up ( down ? ) to fill the “Karen Karen Karen” position each have their own name, and we probably ought to call them individually by whatever they prefer to be called, individually.
If, however, you have a summary collective identifier that you think is better than “Karen” please share,
… and, no your “… it (racial / sexist slur) describes an actual demographic which is motly composed of (insert racial / sexual idetiity) who does (insert streotypical action ascribed to the group characteristics the person is part of based on immutable characterists), usually because of the target’s race or social status …” is not a source identifier for Karenism, and is not even close to understanding Karenism.
I’d explain Karenism, but the web is full of explanations that should illuminate and remedy your misunderstanding.
Thanks for exploring this and sharing.
.
Cam
Sweetie if you’re going to change your screename to troll at least try to make it harder to spot you.
Oh, and by the way. If you’re going to label something mysoginistic and racist, you’d better be able to post some proof.
Karen is as Karen does, and this woman was a Karen.
Quick now, play victim and clutch your pearls all to defend a bully who attack this poor kid just doing his job.
ScottOnEarth
I think there is such thing as the Karen Kult. These ignorant, entitled, evil white women just can’t contain their stupidity. They make complete fools of themselves while bullying innocent people for no reason.
lambchopp59
I refuse to get into contests of wits with the unarmed.
But the person above who tried a practically hilarious defense of “Karen” here proposing what if that “Karen” had been a POC. Oh, pullllleeease dear give it a rest.
“Karens” epitomize the spoiled-rotten white-privilege profile to a science.
That’s why they are getting shamed and exposed in the BLM movement for heaven’s sake.
It’s still mercury retrograde so I’m only saying.
Woteva
Maybe she couldn’t find a mask big enough to cover her ugly gob?!! If she had a brain, she’d be REALLY dangerous, the self-obsessed TWAT.
Rock-N-RollHS
For me “karen” will always be Will & Grace
Luv,
Karen
“Because I’m a lady, assface.”
Cam
Let the woman sue. SHE’S the one who posted the information. Now she’s upset because people pointed out that she’s an a**hole and a Karen.
Sucks to be her.
Black Pegasus
Did the kid lose his job as a result of that woman’s neurotic behavior? Why was a GoFundMe established?
Kangol2
It says it in the article above but just to reiterate, people donated tips to Lenin Gutiérrez for doing his job despite having to face off against yet another Krazy Kooky Karen who wacked out because she couldn’t follow basic safety rules. That’s why.
batesmotel
The woman also slandered him publicly. If anyone is an a-hole and on her side they’ll harass him or cause trouble, so if he has to quit, then he’ll have some money. Likely more than many at this point since so many are out of work or barely make that in a year salary these days.
RyanMBecker
You seem to think that funding sites are only for those in dire financial need. The truth is that people can use them for any reason they want, including the creation of a startup, to carry an invention to fruition or even breast implantation. The only requirement is that the campaign be honest and legal.
In this case, it was started by a stranger, Matt Cowan, who noticed that a lot of people were saying, “I would give Lenin a tip!” So he set up a virtual tip jar, almost as a joke. He expected a few hundred dollars. As per regulations, Cowan was honest in his description. He said that Lenin can do whatever he wanted with the money — as is the case with real tips at any eatery. You can see a TV interview with Cowan by reading one of my previous posts.
Despite the loose description, the money just kept coming. In fact, when Lenin said that he would use it to study and teach dance, the tips accelerated. Not once did he misrepresent or exaggerate his intentions. Donors wanted him to fulfill his dreams of teaching dance to children (which he was already doing before the pandemic). I actually posted the comments from a fellow barista who donated $10 above.
It says a lot about Lenin’s character that he has refused to exploit his fame. Nowhere in his Facebook page is a link to the GoFundMe. In fact, he doesn’t he mention it or the incident in any post. The only reference is a video where he briefly explains what happened and then he proceeds to explain his intentions to pursue dance and of course, he thanks his donors. He had to do that as the press was hounding him for info, and he was advised to stay silent from Starbuck management (since there may be a lawsuit). Lenin does not once criticize nor insult the woman.
Not only does he not link the GoFundMe but he also doesn’t use the publicity to further his career. Many people would suddenly post up a storm, linking old videos, their other social media accounts, etc. He had only one recent post: the one with the video thanking people. All other posts were from last year and beyond, with the majority from before 2015. Most of his dance videos were hidden, and you really had to Google his name to find them. Any PR person would tell him to link all his social media and videos while the iron is hot. But he hasn’t.
Seems like a really sweet humble kid who knows that he doesn’t deserve all this fortune for simply doing his job — just like thousands of other unrecognized store workers do everyday. But he’s clearly appreciative and hopes to give back to the community by changing young lives with dance. In short, if people want to give tips — with full knowledge of his goals — who are we to question this campaign?
batesmotel
I hate wearing those ridiculous masks that will end up doing more damage than good in the end, BUT I wear them when I go into places of a business because I know that’s the way it is right now. I don’t think anyone really enjoys the masks. I’ve never met someone that jumped up and down with excitement to put it on, but it’s the temporary restriction right now when you’re around people. Eventually this will be over and you go back to being privileged again.
wikidBSTN
Lenin is cute!! 🙂
Bob
Agreed. Having a problem with GoFundMe though. I can’t find the right button to donate a BJ… Maybe support can help.
jonasalden
@jockboy1986: I’m sorry, WHERE did you see these tasteful uncut nudes? Maybe they were taken down from Facebook. Asking for a friend.
JoshGL
Bitch can’t find a drive-thru?
There’s one less than two miles away.
She wanted to cause a scene.
RyanMBecker
Exactly. She expressed in interviews that she doesn’t believe in masks because she thinks they don’t work. And according to Lenin, he told her that their policy requires a mask but that he was still willing to help her, e.g. by bringing her order outside. But before he was even able to show her their policy, she started cursing and insulting the entire store. In other words, she likely went in there to cause trouble, not to buy coffee.
RyanMBecker
UPDATE 6/²8/²0
This Matt Cowan guy is an unsung hero. Although he didn’t know Lenin, and had never even been inside that store, he set up and maintains a GoFundMe for him. He is handling an overwhelming amount of press inquiries in addition to his regular job. But it doesn’t stop there. Because the donations is now at $89,000, Cowan has actually set Lenin up with a financial advisor! What a selfless guy, to show such concern for a stranger — not only now but for his future. Here’s the GoFundMe update:
by Matt Cowan, Organizer
Hi everyone,
I know that it has been a while since the last update but both Lenin and myself wanted to thank you all for your sincere donations to this GoFundMe. We’ve been busy handling the numerous press requests that have come in surrounding everything. Your donations are going to change the trajectory of Lenin’s future for the better.
A couple things to let all of you know:
– All of the money donated is going directly to Lenin.
– I have arranged for Lenin to meet with a financial advisor this week to help him plan how to properly invest and use the large sum of money.
– Lenin has said that he plans to use some of the money to pursue his dreams of becoming a dancer. He also wants to donate to some organizations in the San Diego community.
Once again, thank you so much for donating. And don’t forget to wear your mask!
P.S. Check out this incredible article on the GoFundMe published on CNN.
(To see the CNN story, go to the GoFundMe update for a link)