14 DAY TRIAL // Legendary singer Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish are now happy parents of a baby boy. In fact, they even introduced him to the world on the cover of Us Weekly a few days ago – you can find that issue of the mag censored in all Harps grocery stores in Arkansas.
EarSucker reports that Harps has decided the cover of the magazine, showing Elton and David holding baby Zachary in their arms for the family photo, is not suitable for children.
Therefore, it has banned it, covering it with what is known as a “family shield.” In other words, the grocery store chain deems the photo of an openly gay family not suitable for “young Harps shoppers.”
Moreover, it believes said young shoppers need “protection” from such images even though, as you can see from the photo attached, there’s really nothing out of bounds in the family portrait.
The photo comes with the caption “Elton’s baby boy! At home with Elton John, David Furnish and baby Zachary” – so there’s really nothing offensive about that either.
Word of this broke on Twitter, when one Harps shopper noticed the “family shield” and took a picture of it, EarSucker reports. She’s now campaigning against such practices.
“This was taken at my local grocery store. I was shocked and horrified. Can you help bring attention to this?” Jennifer Huddleston tweeted, including a link to the second photo that comes with our article.
“They are saying they need to keep children from seeing it, because it is a gay family,” Jennifer explains. Indeed, that would seem to be the message sent forth by the use of the “family shield,” voices online agree.
“Harps is a local grocery store chain here in Arkansas. Please feel free to share their phone number:870-425-6556,” Jennifer adds.
EarSucker also includes Harps’ official website and all the necessary contact details for people who also find this unacceptable to make themselves heard.
