Grocery Chain Puts Cosmopolitan Out Of Sight Customers At Rosauers Complain That Cover Headline Is Offensive

Tue., March 4, 1997

By Kelly McBride kellym@spokesman.com

Cosmo girls shopping at Rosauers grocery stores have to go looking for their March edition.

Cosmopolitan, which has its first new editor in 31 years, has been pulled from the supermarket’s newsstands because of complaints a headline on the cover is offensive.

Several customers were shocked by the top story when the magazine hit the racks two weeks ago, said Grant MacLaine, head of nonfood purchasing for the chain.

Company headquarters ordered managers at the regional grocery chain to pull it off the racks or cover it up.

In Cosmo’s spot at many stores is a placard directing customers to the service desk if they want a copy. Others stores opted to cover the magazine with a white piece of cardboard, so only the nameplate is visible.

Managers at Safeway and Albertsons grocery stores said they have not received any complaints and do not plan to hide the magazine from view.

The offending headline in bold black letters reads: “His and her orgasms.” It continues in smaller type: “How to slow him down and speed you up.”

MacLaine said it was a tough decision to pull the magazine, but did so based on the volume of complaints.

Many of the people who complained said the headline was too graphic for children, MacLaine said.

“The customer determines what’s offensive,” he said. “My views really don’t count. I might be a puritanical son-of-a-gun, but that’s not what matters.”

MacLaine said there is no set threshold for the number of complaints it takes to remove a magazine. It happens every six months or so, he said.

This is the first Cosmo issue published by new Editor-in-chief Bonnie Fuller. Editor Helen Gurley Brown stepped aside after 31 years.

Fuller was not available for comment Monday.

Deputy Editor Catherine Romano said that when editors planned the cover, no one suggested the headline would be offensive.

There was no effort to make this issue racier than past issues, Romano said.

“There are two sex stories on the cover,” she said. “I think that’s about par for any of the past issues.”

Cosmopolitan is owned by the Hearst Corporation, which reports the magazine’s monthly circulation at 2.6 million.

, DataTimes

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.