The struggling high street giant, Debenhams, has faced a severe backlash after it was exposed selling Christmas ‘Gay in a manger’ jumpers online.
Pastor Rikki Doolan, who is a leader in Spirit Embassy Church in London, posted on X/Twitter an image from Debenhams’ online sweatshirt collection with a purple jumper that said ‘Gay in a manger’ on it.
The design mocks the famous Christmas carol, ‘Away in a Manger’ and places a gay pride flag in a manger instead of baby Jesus.
Tagging Debenhams in a post, Pastor Rikki said: ‘What makes you think @Debenhams that it is ok to insult the Christian faith in such a disgusting way as this? Do you think it’s right to freely mock our faith and God like this? We need answers and now.’
Online support followed with multiple complaints made to Debenhams, only for it to be found that customer services were deleting the emails without reading them.
It was then discovered that the product was produced by a company called Grindstore who distribute to retailers across the UK.
A series of other products on their site mock Christianity and Jesus. For example, there is a t-shirt with an image of Jesus outstretched with ‘Ah, Men’ written in LGBT colours.
There appears to be no other products on Grindstore’s website insulting Islam or any other religions.
With the backing of the Disciples of Christ street activism group, Pastor Rikki started planning protests but in response to the backlash, Debenhams removed the products from their website. Grindstore followed suit and posted the following 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.’
As of yet, Debenhams has made no public comment.
Pastor Rikki said: “It is important for businesses and the British public to see that Christians are not passive and that we will not put up with Jesus being mocked so brazenly. We are pleased that Debenhams and Grindstore have withdrawn the items and will hold other retailers to account if they promote these products or anything similar.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, said: “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.”