A supermarket in Arkansas has reversed it’s decision to place a ‘family shield’ over the cover of the current issue of US weekly which features Elton John and David Furnish with their new baby Zachary.
The move to censor the cover with a ‘family shield' - which is
traditionally used to cover pornography - sparked outrage amongst civil rights groups, with representatives from GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) investigating the issue.
A spokesperson for Harps Grocery Stores initially defended the shield, saying Harps bosses reacted in response to
'several' customer complaints at that particular store.
He insisted that the move was "in no way our opinion on this issue," adding
"we do not have an opinion on this issue."
The story hit the Internet after a customer, Jennifer Huddleston, took a photo of the shield and posted it on Plixi. "This was taken at my local grocery store," she wrote. "I was shocked and horrified."
"They are saying they need to keep children from seeing it, because it is a gay family."
Within hours of the photo hitting the Internet, Harps received a raft of complaints and removed the shield.
What do you think? an over reaction by Harps or merely reacting to their customers needs?
GL