An Edmonton mother says she is "beyond livid" after her son received a valentine with a homophobic message at his workplace.

Shelley Bramhoff Sikorski posted a photo of the valentine on Facebook on Saturday night.

The valentine is a paper plate filled with candy and covered with hearts. Written in black marker on the front are her son's name and a homophobic message.

In a Facebook message, Sikorski said her son, Degas, received the valentine from someone at his workplace, Party City, in north Edmonton. He has been an employee at the store for three years, while putting himself through university, she wrote.

"This is definitely a hate message. And this is momma bear protective of her son," Sikorski wrote. The message and photo had been shared thousands of times by Sunday afternoon.

Degas Sikorski's first shift this year was Saturday, when he received the Valentine, her post said.

CBC contacted Sikorski on Sunday morning.



"I don't know what steps we should take ... do we reach out to his corporate HR before the media. I am at a loss here ... ." Sikorski wrote in a Facebook message.

Degas Sikorski did not respond to a CBC news request for an interview.



On Sunday morning, Liesal Webb, a supervisor at the Party City store, said she wasn't aware of valentines being shared among staff. When CBC News called back in the afternoon, the store refused to comment.

A Party City spokeswoman responded to a request for comment with an emailed statement.



"Party City does not condone this behaviour and is committed to creating a fair and inclusive working environment," the statement said. "We are currently looking into this matter and will provide more information as it becomes available."