Department store chain Debenhams is under fire for selling offensive ‘gay in a manger’ Christmas jumpers online.
Multiple complaints were sent into Debenhams after shoppers discovered a purple jumper and a matching mug emblazoned with the slogan ‘gay in a manger’. While initially it was claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that their customer service teams may have been deleting these emails without reading them, the department store has now removed the product from their website – though has issued no apology.
Prior to the chain removing the products, Pastor Rikki Doolan, leader of a church in London, had been planning to organise a protest. He took to X to condemn Debenhams, asking them: ‘Do you think it’s right to freely mock our faith and God like this?’
Calls for an apology
Former MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg weighed in on events, remarking that Islam would ‘not be mocked this way’ (Daily Mail). Chief Executive of Christian Concern Andrew Williams agreed, stating: ‘Why has Debenhams felt the need to blaspheme Jesus? They would not mock any other religious figure in the same way. Debenhams should issue a full apology and withdraw the product.’
Paul Stark, member of Mirfield Evangelical Church, along with several other members of his congregation, wrote to the CEO of Debenhams to complain. He commented to en: ‘When it comes to intimating that the person whom I regard as the Creator, Lord and Saviour of the Universe was Himself “gay”, a line has been crossed … Just as I would not wish to be offensive in the way that I act towards those whose lifestyle and beliefs I do not share, I expect the same in return. Christians are called to be wise in the way they act towards outsiders, and I felt that pointing out the offence that products they were promoting were causing was right and proper. There comes a time when we need to make a stand.’
Grindstore removes irreverant products
The products originated from a retailer called Grindstore, who, in response to the backlash, have since removed any products related to Jesus from their website – which included a T-shirt with an image of Jesus outstretched with ‘Ah, Men’ written in LGBT colours. They issued a statement of apology: ‘Thank you for contacting us, as a small business we are always open to listening feedback and have taken yours on board. We have now removed the highlighted products, our apologies … the intention was not to offend or insult anyone.’
At the time en went to print, Debenhams had not replied to our request for comment.
