A luxury sandwich retailer is facing backlash after offering a ‘LGBT sandwich’ which was supposed to be a BLT-style sandwich paying homage to the gay community.
Marks & Spencer, which made the lettuce, guacamole, bacon, and tomato sandwich to celebrate a Pride parade in the U.K., now faces an angry gay community that is mad with being equated with a sandwich.
“I identify as lesbian,” said one Twitter user. “[N]ot a f—ing lettuce. why don’t you make an ethnic minority or disability sandwich while you’re at it!!”
I identify as #lesbian @marksandspencer not a f*cking lettuce. why don’t you make an ethnic minority or disability sandwich while you’re at it!! #lgbt #ridiculous #marketing ??? pic.twitter.com/itbrRZbiPL
— Emma Westwood (@emmawestwood) May 4, 2019
“[S]hame on the good folks over at @marksandspencer for turning our culture and identity into a sandwich. making an absolute mockery of lgbtq people,” added another user.
shame on the good folks over at @marksandspencer for turning our culture and identity into a sandwich. making an absolute mockery of lgbtq people #lgbtq #lgbt #queer #pride pic.twitter.com/PA7Q1nrXfG
— baby you’re a rich man (@robynetzan) May 2, 2019
Piers Morgan joined the pile on calling the move ‘cynical virtue-signalling.’
“Gay sandwiches? Is there no cynical virtue-signalling depth struggling companies won’t now plunge to make a profit? Shame on you @marksandspencer, this is truly pathetic,” Morgan said on Twitter.
[Opinion: Trump actually has a decent LGBT record, except on one thing]
Gay sandwiches? Is there no cynical virtue-signalling depth struggling companies won’t now plunge to make a profit? Shame on you @marksandspencer, this is truly pathetic. pic.twitter.com/XXpESUleqF
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 4, 2019
A few Twitter users were a little more charitable, though.
just heard of the controversy around this LGBT sandwich from @marksandspencer and I can’t believe there is a controversy around it last time it was over gingerbread and now this. I don’t think M&S are calling me a tomato.
— Samara Broere (@SamaraBroere) May 7, 2019
Well done to @marksandspencer
For promoting #LGBT rights and to raise money for the @aktcharity and @BeLonG_To but don’t forget the smaller local #charities also doing great job like those mentioned ?? https://t.co/KqUzmQS1Ey— Lee Johnson (@LeeAccessCT) May 4, 2019
Has anyone tried one of these yet? Perhaps @marksandspencer should add a quail’s egg to make it #LGBTQ+ ?!? @piersmorgan @BoyGeorge #happypride https://t.co/c6kN1WesCW
— TIMOTHY P (@percybiz) May 7, 2019
“M&S Food is celebrating Pride season this year and has launched a special limited-edition LGBTQ+ sandwich – a twist on its popular BLT – featuring a delicious combination of Lettuce, Guacamole, Bacon and Tomato(LGBT),” M&S said in a statement.
“Alongside this, to celebrate Pride 2019 M&S is donating £10,000 to akt the national LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness charity. M&S is also donating €1000 to BeLonG To Youth Services for LGBTI+ young people in Ireland,” the group added.
AKT, a national homeless LGBT youth charity, said they were grateful for the £10,000 M&S were donating to their cause from the proceeds from the sandwich.
“We’re thrilled to see M&S show visible support for the LGBTQ+ community this Pride, and are extremely grateful to be one of its two chosen charities,” said Carrie Reiners, the director of fundraising at AKT.
