Men’s magazine Nuts has mounted an online campaign in response to the Co-op’s ruling that ‘lads’ magazines must come in modesty bags within six weeks, or be removed from sale in their stores.
Co-op’s decision comes after a campaign from UK Feminista and others, leaving the likes of Loaded, Nuts and Zoo needing to implement the changes by 9 September.
The shareable image released by Nuts, entitled ‘Keep your hands off our Nuts!’, reads: “These magazines are entirely legal and bring entertainment and enjoyment to many thousands of men – and women – across the UK, and I see no reason why they should be banned to appease the views of a minority protest group.
“This proposed move is a blatant act of censorship with UK Feminista seeking to ban something just because it doesn’t happen to like it.
“Magazines like Nuts feature a broad range of content, and are stocked out of the reach of children, and are enjoyed by a large number of supermarket customers whose voices also deserve to be heard.”
The magazine has also started the hashtag #KeepTheLadsMags on Twitter which is being supported by male and female readers and a number of glamour models and TV stars who have appeared in lads mags including Sophie Coady, Hollie Hatton, Chanelle Hayes and Holly Hagan. A number of supporters are also pointing out that women’s celebrity, fashion and health magazines all use images of women in bikinis, or less, on their covers and are not subject to the new rules.
If we start picking apart one genre of magazines, the others will be next. Where will we stop?! #KeepTheLadsMags
— Chanelle Hayes (@chanellejhayes) July 30, 2013
What's this I hear about these mad PMT women "protesters" wanting to stop @nuts_official! #LeaveIt #KeepTheLadsMags
— Sean (@CarperSean) July 30, 2013
@nuts_official #KeepTheLadsMags there is no reason for one of the most popular genres of magazine to go.
— Sonny Skelton (@Mr_Spaceman_97) July 30, 2013
If they're gonna cover up the lads mags, then they should cover up the girl mags too, it's only fair. #keeptheladsmags
— David Bradburn (@xFragileBirdx) July 30, 2013
@nuts_official @HollyJadePeers @catdeeley what's the difference ?? #KeepTheLadsMags pic.twitter.com/JLsfMbsBWE
— Hollie Hatton (@holliehatton) July 30, 2013