The first poppy-related argument of 2019 has arrived and it's ridiculous

It wouldn’t be a British winter if there wasn’t a long string of poppy-related arguments.

The poppy culture war has become an integral part of the winter season. Every time November rolls around, poppies – which are purchased to raise money for veterans and show respect for people who have served in the armed forces – are everywhere and people can't stop fighting over them.

The first poppy-related controversy of 2019 is a rainbow poppy that has appeared on marketplace Ebay.

The poppy has been interpreted as an “LGBT+ poppy” given that the rainbow closely resembles the rainbow colours used by the LGBT+ rights movement.

Though it’s worth pointing out that the specific Ebay listing that is doing the rounds online doesn’t mention the LGBT+ community.

Regardless, some people are fuming online at the concept of a poppy to represent LGBT+ veterans – of which there are surely many.

Lots of people have accused the poppy of being “disrespectful”.

But many also defended the poppy, given that there are numerous types of poppy already and that LGBT+ people have played a key role in Britain’s military history.

LGBT+ people were also persecuted by the Nazis, so wearing the poppy could be a way to remember them too.

Sadly, the seller eventually closed the listing, posting the following message on the listing page:

PLEASE STOP THE VILE AND RUDE MESSAGES THAT YOU ARE SENDING ME!

I DONT MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE

I HAVE ONLY ONE AGENDA AND THAT IS TO MAKE MONEY FOR A CHARITY

GLITTERY RAINBOW POPPY BADGE

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