Choosing Crass over Class – your action needed!

By: American Decency Staff

In recent days we’ve received several notes and emails regarding a mall window display of a group of topless women – not at Victoria’s Secret – but at the plus size women’s clothing store, Lane Bryant. One supporter first alerted us to this blatant display in the Lansing, MI shopping mall.  In addition, we’ve heard from several others expressing outrage. One person wrote: A week or so ago I was in the former Eastbrook Mall (now named Centerpointe Mall, Grand Rapids MI) and was shocked with the window display of Lane Bryant's Store of topless women looking overly friendly with each other.  Have you observed that? And this communication: I received the newest Lane Bryant catalog in my mail… this was the cover.  I was embarrassed to pull this out of my mailbox. Some people are calling this art – I call it porn. I called and wrote to Lane Bryant.. maybe others would want to also. Note: The scanned cover image attached to this person’s email message showed that the catalog cover had the same topless photo which is on display in shopping mall windows. ************ After receiving the first message we stopped in at the Lansing Mall and saw what the outrage was about.  And the outrage was certainly warranted! The ad photo shows a group of five topless women, wearing nothing but the jeans which are supposedly the product being advertised.  The women are standing in a row erotically pressed up against each other, touching each other. Lewd and disgusting are two words that came to mind when I saw this large window display.  What is entering the minds of children when they pass by with their parents? What do nudity and allusions of lesbianism have to do with selling jeans?  Nothing. Lane Bryant’s advertising ploy, following in the footsteps of Victoria’s Secret, throws public decency out the window in their attempt to portray their brand name as “unconventionalâ€Â as they’re foisting unwanted pornographic images in front of shoppers in a family shopping center. These erotic displays show complete disregard, even contempt, for mall customers.  Shoppers are exposed to explicit images – without choice.  Shopping malls should be a welcome place for families without having nudity and sexual imagery foisted in front of our faces and in front of our children. Moms and Dads, grandmothers and grandfathers need to oppose indecency/pornography wherever it is found – certainly that includes the local mall. Take Action: (1) Don’t spend a single dollar with Lane Bryant, owed by parent company Charming Shoppes. Charming Shoppes also owns Fashion Bug and Catherines Plus Sizes. Urge others to do the same. (2) Click here to send a message to Lane Bryant (and parent company Charming Shoppes), expressing your outrage regarding their offensive mall displays. Click here: https://americandecency.org/take_action_form.php?msg_id=118 (3)  If your local mall has a Lane Bryant store, make a point of stopping in to express your concern.  Also make the effort to express your concern to the mall management. If we stick our heads in the sand instead of taking a stand, such displays will only continue to gain acceptance and spread from Victoria’s Secret to Lane Bryant to store after store – turning a family shopping place into a haven for eroticism and pornography. ========================================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference. Donate online at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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