M&S accused of 'normalising porn' with pre-made porn star martinis

Marks & Spencer has been caught up in a sexism row after being accused of ‘normalising porn’ by selling new pre-made cans of porn star Martinis.

From slippery nipples to screaming orgasms, cocktail names often allude to some NSFW topics, and the porn star martini is no different.

But Marks & Spencer, who claim to be the first supermarket to sell the blend of passion fruit and vodka in a pre-mixed can, has come under fire from parents who don’t want to have to explain what a porn star is to their children.

“It may be an actual cocktail, but I don’t madly want to explain to my small daughter what a porn star is, while shopping for cake,” one woman wrote on a thread about the topic on Mumsnet.

“I will be writing a very strong letter of complaint to M&S about this,” agreed another.

Meanwhile on social media feminist campaign group Object! accused the High Street brand of “normalising porn.”

“Marks & Spencer normalising porn. And if you try to complain online, the system rejects the word ‘porn’. Mixed messages huh?” the group tweeted.

And it quickly sparked a heated debate.

Some agreed with the group that the name was inappropriate.

Others came to the retailer’s defence, pointing out that the name of the drink wasn’t originally created by Marks & Spencer and it is sold in bars and pubs all over the UK.

In fact the porn star martini was recently voted the UK’s most popular cocktail accounting for almost 15% of cocktails served in the UK.

It isn’t the first time the retailer has found themselves in hot water of late.

Back in November they were embroiled in another sexism row after a window display placed women’s “fancy little knickers” beside men’s suits.

The window display attracted criticism online, with some saying it normalises “damaging” gender stereotypes.

A woman who posted a photo of the shop on Facebook, said: “Ok, M&S Nottingham, have we really not learned anything in the last 35 years? Or am I alone in finding this, their major window display, completely vomit inducing?”

Responding to the criticism a spokesperson said: “M&S sells more underwear, in more shapes, sizes and styles, than any other retailer, especially at Christmas.

“We’ve highlighted one combination in our windows, which are part of a wider campaign that features a large variety of must-have Christmas moments, from David Gandy washing up in an M&S suit through to families snuggling up in our matching PJs.”

Yahoo UK has contacted Marks & Spencer for comment and will update the article with the response.

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