Comment from UK Feminista and Object
Contact: Kat Banyard – 07775 855037 or Sophie Bennett – 07450 429814
Photos from Tesco demonstration: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.679550792071275.1073741827.145317898827903&type=1
Today (28/6/13) UK Feminista and Object staged a demonstration outside Tesco’s AGM, calling on the company to ‘lose the lads’ mags’. During the AGM a shareholder proceeded to ask Tesco’s chairman, Sir Richard Broadbent, to stop selling pornographic lads’ mags.
In response, Sir Richard is quoted as saying: “I bought one of these lad’s mags recently and I was startled at what I saw. But I think we should be thoughtful in our response. I don’t immediately know what the answer should be. But I am willing to look at changes.”
Commenting on the statement by Tesco’s chairman, Sophie Bennett from the Lose the Lads’ Mags campaign (1), said:
“It is unacceptable that the UK’s biggest retailer sells sexist, pornographic lads’ mags. We are pleased to hear that Sir Richard Broadbent, Tesco’s Chairman, is considering changing this. It is crucial now that Sir Richard listens to shareholders and the thousands of people who have contacted Tesco asking them to lose the lads’ mags.
“Lads’ mags are deeply harmful, fuelling sexist attitudes and behaviours that underpin violence against women. By selling these publications in everyday spaces Tesco sends out the message that it is acceptable to treat women like dehumanised sex objects. Tesco wouldn’t allow ‘girly calendars’ on their walls so what are pornographic lads’ mags doing on their shelves?
“Exposing staff and customers to lads’ mags can constitute sexual harassment or sex discrimination under the Equality Act. Tesco says it doesn’t stock ‘adult’ magazines. But that is not the case. Lads’ mags like Nuts and Zoo are pornographic publications that advertise prostitution and lap dancing clubs in their back pages. Legally as well as ethically, lads’ mags are well past their sell by date.”
Notes:
1) The Lose the Lads’ Mags campaign is coordinated by UK Feminista (www.ukfeminista.org.uk) and Object (www.object.org.uk)
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