Man is branded ‘misogynistic’ after he called the drawing of a tampon ‘obscene’ on Treasury announcement about the end of tax on sanitary products
- HM Treasury announced end of VAT on women’s sanitary products on Twitter
- Adam Garrie who lives in London, argued tampon illustration wasn’t necessary
- Responses blasted presenter and urged him to research menstruation stigma
A man has been blasted on social media for complaining about the use of a tampon illustration in the HM Treasury’s announcement about the end of VAT on women’s sanitary products in the UK.
Posting on Twitter, the Treasury revealed the ‘tampon tax’ will no longer be in place from 1 January 2021, racking up over 11,000 likes, complete with a simple drawing of a tampon .
Adam Garrie who lives in London, penned a response saying: ‘Good policy but is this obscene image really necessary?’
The controversial commentator, who has presented a YouTube series The History Boys with George Galloway, is a self-styled expert and ‘geopolitical analyist’ who runs Eurasia Future, variously described as a ‘Global Policy & Analysis Think Tank’ and an ‘independent news platform’.
According to his Twitter bio, he is currently a presenter on an obscure internet radio station, Scotland69am.com.
His latest comments on the illustration used to announce the end of the tampon tax have been described as ‘misogynistic’.
Radio presenter Adam Garrie who lives in London, has been blasted for complaining about a tampon illustration on Twitter
Adam explained he doesn’t agree with the ‘obscene image’ because it conjures thoughts of bodily fluids
He told Bored Panda that the backlash to his tweet also included ‘threats’, as he commented on the pressure to ensure opinions conform to the masses online.
Adam said: ‘If someone wants to publish photos of their genitals, bodily fluids, or anything else of that nature, I shall defend their right to do so.
‘If someone seeks to bully me into enjoying it, I shall calmly state my entirely reasonable opposition.
‘In an age where most schools are concerned with teaching people what to think rather than how to think, it should surprise no one when a simple and reasonable statement can arouse such a storm in a teacup.’
Adam (pictured) told Bored Panda that he has received ‘threats’ since he shared his opinion on social media
He went on to explain how freedom of speech and the ability to follow traditional teachings is being challenged by ‘a numerically small but heavily amplified mob’.
‘Not only are they comfortable with sharing photos of their bodily fluids and genitals online, but they seek to force those with personally traditional values to revel in the kind of exhibitionism which they enjoy,’ he added.
Responding to a user on Twitter, Adam wrote: ‘I’m happy that a tax has been abolished. I’m unhappy that a government channel needed to show an image conjuring thoughts of bodily fluids for no reason. A simple textual statement would have sufficed’
A stream of people disagreed with Adam’s opinion, with one person saying: ‘Really? A wad of condensed cotton necessary for a woman’s health is to you obscene? And a step toward equal taxation needs to be sanitized for you? The world has moved on and you are being left behind. Try to use your platform for good. Best wishes in the New Year.’
A stream of Twitter users argued Adam’s views are ‘harmful’ and urged him to research menstruation stigma
‘Please read up on menstruation stigma so you understand why it’s your language here that’s unnecessary and harmful. If you think tampons are obscene, you’re implying that people who use them have something about us, too,’ another wrote.
A third added: ‘Prior to sanitation, society said menstruating women were unclean and couldn’t leave the house.
‘Quite ironically you are not claiming the thing that enables women to live their lives during their period is obscene. Please go and reflect on your views. It’s a wad of cotton.’