Elton John Magazine Censored By 'Family Shield' in Supermarket

By Zach Dionne Posted Jan 26th 2011 03:21PM

A Harps supermarket in Mountain View, Ark., censored an Us Weekly cover featuring Elton John, husband David Furnish and their new baby, Zachary. Deemed inappropriate for "young Harps shoppers," the store placed a "family shield" in front of the magazine.

Twitter user @jennhudd saw the censored cover and began tweeting a photo to celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper and Neil Patrick Harris, asking them to "bring attention" to the store's decision.

The Mountain View Harps responded to a call from PopEater on Wednesday afternoon with a curt "no comment" before hanging up. A call to the corporate office had us placed on hold, redirected and sent to a voice mail when asked for official comment.

CoverAwards.com had better luck speaking to Harps -- a cashier told the site Harps was "in a no-win situation" as children being shielded from the magazine cover would "have to know at some point [about gay families]."

PopEater's Naughty But Nice Rob Shuter reported that the Elton John cover sold poorly and wondered if America wasn't ready for "two men and a baby." Now he calls the censorship "very sad," asking, "We can let our families watch 'Jersey Shore' but not see a picture of Elton, his partner and their beautful baby boy?"

After originating the picture of the censored cover, @jennhudd reported the "family shields" had been removed, likely as a result of the Internet's interest in the issue. Jennifer sent a series of tweets suggesting offended parties call the Harps office and file complaints.

GLAADblog also spoke to Harps. The account:

I spoke with Harps Corporate Executive Assistant Marty Yarborough, who told me that every Harps store is equipped with these shields and that they get put up whenever customers complain about the content of a magazine cover. She said the word from the store about this particular cover was that "several" customers had complained, so the shield went up. She also confirmed that these shields are utilized on a store-by-store basis, so the magazine would not have been covered up at any of the other Harps locations, unless customers complained there as well. She also told me that the usage of the shield on this particular cover is "in no way our opinion on this issue." She quickly added, "we do not have an opinion on this issue."

BuzzFeed reports Harps has more than 60 locations in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Elton John and David Furnish's son was born via a surrogate on Christmas Day. Zachary is the first child for John, 62, and Furnish, 48. The couple married in 2005 after being together for 12 years.

Based on Elton's recent sentiment for gay marriage opponents (hint: it involved an "F" and a "you"), we can assume he won't take kindly to being family-shielded in his moment of joy.

►Elton John Doesn't Care if His Son Is Gay or Straight

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Tags: David Furnish, Elton John

Comments

(1203)

Wednesday 26 January

By Pearl

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There is nothing to shield in this photo. This baby is so loved and wanted. I have seen mag covers at stores that were way worse at check out lines with children all around. As far as all you bible thumpers spoutin off verses dont forget the one about "Judge not, lest ye be judged." This baby will probably grow up in a more loving household than a lot of children may be growing up in a man and woman one. I am 55 years old and was raised to believe you live and let live and dont judge a person. Especially if you dont know the facts and havent walked in their shoes. I am truly happy for them.

By billy

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

It is nice all these rich spoiled gay actors want babies but think about the kids. Kids need a mom and a dad. Not a dad and a dad that plays the mom - life is confusing enough.

By Jared

Ummm, I don't think the dad plays the mom. They are themselves, period. No wonder teens kill themselves when having to confront the closemindedness of many of these posters here, when they can't be accepted for who they are. This child of theirs will be loved, open in his mind, and most likely successful in his own life. More power to them!

Thursday 27 January

By finmagik

DO RESEARCH! Studies have proven that kids raised by homosexuals who are wanted and loved are happier then those raised by heterosexual parents, what about kids raised by grandma? or single mothers? are they neglected because they don't have mom and dad? What about kids in families where Daddy touchs them in the no-no place? Is THAT good because their father is there? YOU have problems.

By Pat

I think 1 plays the mom and 1 the dad - even in the relationship without a child 1 plays the male and 1 the female role. This child will be fine.

By Will

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Harps did the right thing to begin with. A majority of Americans in this country see homosexuality as immoral. And Harps has a right to express their view just like anyone else!!!

By GaYLord

Elton John is the perfect example on why Gays should stay in the closet. Hes career has gone into the dumpster. His attitude is so elitist im suprised anyone has anything to do with him. (oh he has money) Hes a priss.

By karsim123

Adulterous?? Your post would imply you don't even know what the word adulterous means....take your homophobic nonsense and go hide in a closet

By rlnyny

Arkansas? Isn't that where brothers marry their sisters all the time?

By barryalmo2

Maybe so , but at least that way they can reproduce naturally !!!!!!!!!

By Stephanie

I am pretty sure the same magazine had a cover picturing a teen mom who had just been arrested for beating on her baby's daddy and CPS was in the process of removing the baby from the home. Why is this acceptable but a photo of a stable, married couple who purposely and lovingly brought a child into the world because they desperately wanted him not?

Ha Ha ... This is a real good one ...
But you better start getting used to it down there ...
Cause up here we are not allowed to sing " Money for Nothing "
If Homosexual families were OK ...
None of us would be here .......................

By David

When is the hatred in this country going to end. At least they are happy and will give the kid a good life. With the divorce rate over 60% in this county and teen pregancy at an all time high is this "FAMILY VALUES' this screwed up nation keeps talking about? Kids living on the street in this country is an empidemic.....People that hate will get their justice in the end.

By dolemite

Yep, David. And the gay subculture gets it in the end, as well

Nobody said you couldn't have an opinion, everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if they are bigoted homophobics. And since these people are not knocking down your front door trying to force you into their lifestyle why don't you just chill.

By charlied419

My problem with the picture is that the picture depicts two men "at home" with their baby. Kindergarten kids can read that.
They are impressionable. Is it OK to suggest that this is normal ? Seems to me like gays like to flaunt their sexuality and want to feel accepted. I don't have to accept that as normal and don't think impressionable youngsters should be subjected to that alternative lifestyle. Put it on the top shelf with the papre products or cover it up.

Because it is normal. There is nothing weird about it.

By carterswn

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I'm going to shop there .

By johnny

I really dont care if these guys are gay - what bothers me is how sad for the baby to have a 65 year old father - elton baby you should be looking into a retirement home not bringing up babies

By Nancy

I agree with Ray. Read Corinthians and also remember why Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Hence, homosexuals are an abomination to God. What will their end be, burned in the lake of fire.

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