Marks and Spencer (M&S) have launched an LGBT+ sandwich to celebrate Pride. They will donate €10,000 to Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) and €1,000 to BeLonG To Youth Services.
The sandwich is available in Ireland and the UK is filled with lettuce, guacamole, bacon and tomato – to fulfil the LGBT acronym – and comes in rainbow-coloured packaging.
The sandwich has divided opinion on social media with some praising the retailer while others called it a ‘token’ gesture.
Love this partnership between @marksandspencer and @aktcharity @BeLonG_To for PRIDE ???❤????? pic.twitter.com/0cr6AUWp6E
— Sonya Trivedy (@TrivedyS) May 2, 2019
Many were happy to see the sandwich on the shelves, with some wondering why people were angry about it.
Trying to figure out why some people are all angry over a #LGBT @marksandspencer sandwich like: pic.twitter.com/x2EBswUxnW
— Matt (@jumpytiny) May 3, 2019
One tweet thought the €4.75 price tag shouldn’t apply to LGBT+ customers and allies. “Calling all LGBTs! Get yourselves down @marksandspencer and help yourself to a free gay sandwich! No need to pay babe, just walk in and take this trash off the shelves. Not sure whether this offer applies to allies too.” they tweeted.
Calling all LGBTs! Get yourselves down @marksandspencer and help yourself to a free gay sandwich! No need to pay babe, just walk in and take this trash off the shelves. Not sure whether this offer applies to allies too. pic.twitter.com/CgD9bdRqHP
— Aaron Wright (@aaronzimbra) May 1, 2019
Although this user disagrees with comparing sexual preference to sandwich fillings, they are happy that money is being donated to LGBT+ charities.
Dear @marksandspencer
Im not sure that the sandwich should of been named LGBT. I dont like comparing my sexuality preference to a sandwich. Perhaps “Our Pride sandwich” would have been better. But I cant deny the donation you are making and I really hope people see this side too pic.twitter.com/zQ4IpnsTZk— ?matt.exe (@heyyimmatt) May 3, 2019
“Dear @marksandspencer I’m not sure that the sandwich should have been named LGBT. I don’t like comparing my sexual preference to a sandwich. Perhaps “Our Pride sandwich” would have been better. But I can’t deny the donation you are making and I really hope people see this side too”, they said.
After centuries of systemic abuse and marginalised oppression all I ever WANTED was a gay sandwich and 31% fat content x @marksandspencer pic.twitter.com/zdblHugP3s
— Bertie Darrell (@bertiedarrell) May 3, 2019
There were many tweets about the nutritional value of the sandwich which has high fat, high salt and not vegan.
“After centuries of systemic abuse and marginalised oppression all I ever WANTED was a gay sandwich and 31% fat content x”, one tweet said.
“Big shout out to @marksandspencer for eradicating homophobia with this sandwich”,
The strangest thing about the whole gay sandwich thing tbh, is that @marksandspencer thinks gays actually eat bread pic.twitter.com/gICKPwWVof
— George Linley (@GeorgeLinley_) May 3, 2019
“The strangest thing about the whole gay sandwich thing tbh is that @marksandspencer thinks gays actually eat bread.”
The strangest thing about the whole gay sandwich thing tbh, is that @marksandspencer thinks gays actually eat bread pic.twitter.com/gICKPwWVof
— George Linley (@GeorgeLinley_) May 3, 2019
“The strangest thing about the whole gay sandwich thing tbh is that @marksandspencer thinks gays actually eat bread”
https://twitter.com/badpallili/status/1123514516384493568
“M&S throwing the entire lesbian community under the bus w the bacon here”.
What do you think of the M&S LGBT sandwich? Leave your comments below.
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