 Oxford Union members are being offered discounts at a local sex shop in the heart of the university town as a treat
for joining the prestigious organisation.
The debating society's members can receive sex goods up to 10% cheaper simply if they flash their membership card at Adult World on Cowley Road.
But some members have predictably raised concerns about the initiative, claiming it was offensive and undermined its women's initiative.
It's incongruous with the image of the Union, its prestigious history and the list of great and good who have spoken there, one source said: It is a sign of the times. Even a few years ago this wouldn't have happened, or, if it had,
it would have kicked up a storm of debate.
Earlier this year, the Union's former executive team debated the initiative's introduction after it was claimed some reasonable members had become offended by it.
According to minutes of the January meeting, Eleanor Lischka, from Lincoln College, objected to the scheme despite not actually being offended by it . She urged it be scrapped because it undermines the women's initiative and gives the
Union a negative image.
But Stuart Cullen, the former president from Christ Church College, argued at the meeting that he didn't see why it's offensive as it did not encourage members to use the sex shop .
Alistair Walker, a Union spokesman, defended the scheme. He said it was a long-standing member's discount deal with the sex shop. He said there were plans to expand the scheme: This is just one of the 63 current discounts the Union's
current and former committee members have negotiated to ensure best value for its members,he said.
|
