Shoppers in Northern Ireland have contacted The Christian Institute to express their dismay over Sainsbury’s celebration of homosexual and transgender ideology.
The supermarket has displayed banners promoting LGBT lifestyles outside several stores in the Province.
The Christian Institute’s Callum Webster called the move divisive and said supermarkets should not display symbols associated with political campaigns.
Excluded
Sainsbury’s defended the banners saying it wanted to be an “inclusive” retailer where people “love to shop and work”.
However, NI residents contacted the Institute to say that the marketing campaign makes them feel excluded.
Many asked why special treatment was being given to one group in society based on their sexual lifestyles – and if Sainsbury’s would display banners celebrating heterosexual marriages.
Conscience
Callum Webster, The Christian Institute’s Northern Ireland Officer questioned whether Sainsbury’s has considered the impact of the initiative on staff members who objected to the LGBT campaign.
“Staff may feel pressured into going along with the initiative for fear of losing their jobs or being marginalised by colleagues. This is not respectful of their conscience rights.”
Mr Webster confirmed that many of those who had been in touch with the Institute’s Belfast office had also contacted Sainsbury’s to complain.
“The company may push similar initiatives in future years if the public does not make its concerns known”, he said.
‘Pride’
Supermarkets across the UK have taken part in schemes to show support for the LGBT community.
In Northern Ireland, an Asda spokesperson confirmed that they were selling Pride T-shirts in Belfast stores.
A group of staff from Marks & Spencer will also take part in the Belfast Pride parade in August.
Virtue signalling
Earlier this year, Marks & Spencer sparked controversy by launching an LGBT sandwich.
The twist on the traditional BLT, came in rainbow packaging and added guacamole to complete the LGBT acronym.
Critics accused the chain of ‘virtue signalling to make a profit’.