The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

This image is the most controversial product to come out of the number one British chain Tesco. The Pole Dancing Kit comes complete with pink garter, instructional video, and play money. The message on the box itself?

"Unleash the sex kitten inside...simply extend the Peekaboo pole inside the tube, slip on the sexy tunes and away you go! Soon you'll be flaunting it to the world and earning a fortune in Peekaboo Dance Dollars."

The toy has been pulled from the shelves after numerous complaints came rolling in by angry parents. Tesco maintains the product was always meant for "adult use" only, even though it was found in the toy and games section of their website. Tesco's defense?

"Pole dancing is an increasing exercise craze. This item is for people who want to improve their fitness and have fun at the same time."

Even if this was a product that had been targeted for adults... why would that be OK? Is this really a message that should be sent? To make exercise a demonstration of one of the most misogynistic and dehumanizing forms of entertainment? I suppose with all the strippercise classes popping up in gyms across the country, I shouldn't be surprised that this product has landed on the market. But the fact that it is clearly marketed towards young girls, or that it is marketed towards girls or women at all, is highly disturbing.

Tesco has recently removed the Pole Dancing Kit from shelves, but it is currently available on their website, now under "fitness accessory" instead of "toys and games."