Caitlyn Jenner costume triggers social media firestorm

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A costume inspired by Caitlyn Jenner is triggering a social media firestorm months ahead of Halloween.

The "Call Me Caitlyn" costume consists of a padded top, matching shorts and a wig, and is very reminiscent of the outfit Jenner wore on the cover of Vanity Fair.

Spirit Halloween and AnytimeCostumes.com are two of several retailers carrying the costume, which is selling for $74.99.

"Caitlyn Jenner has proven to be the most important real-life superhero of the year, and Spirit Halloween is proud to carry the costume that celebrates her," the company said in a statement.

Meanwhile, many people are criticizing the costume, calling it offensive and in poor taste.

A petition on www.change.org says, "Do not turn Caitlyn Jenner into a costume. Your profit will only lead to greater transphobia and marginalization of an already at risk community."

Alex Schmider of the Los Angeles LGBT Center says Halloween is a time to dress up and have fun, but that the "Call Me Caitlyn" costume is more about attacking an already targeted group of people.

"It implies that being transgender is somewhat of a costume and treating it as such is offensive and ignorant and done in poor taste," he said.