Anti-Gay Group Targets JC Penney For Choosing Ellen DeGeneres to Rep Brand

Sneaky anti-gay group OneMillionMoms.com- a right-wing advocacy group that marches behind the “protect the children” banner while promoting a rather bigoted agenda- has implored likeminded folk to hit mass retailer JC Penney in the pocketbook for the crime of selecting talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to represent its overall brand.

Although Ellen is a huge mainstream success- and the fact that she’s a lesbian is a relatively minimal part of her public persona- the conservative group has taken issue and action with and against the star and the brand, saying in a statement on their website:

“Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families. More sales will be lost than gained unless they replace their spokesperson quickly. Unless JC Penney decides to be neutral in the culture war, then their brand transformation will be unsuccessful.”

In response, GLAAD issued a statement condemning the protest and suggesting that most Americans love their gay family and friends and don’t mind that the insanely popular comedienne is a lesbian:

“While designated hate groups try to start ‘culture wars,’ it’s clear that a vast majority of Americans today support Ellen as well as their LGBT friends and family members. Selecting an out performer who has inspired and entertained millions is not only a smart business practice, but a reflection of how LGBT Americans today are an integral and valued part of the fabric of our culture.”

As of now, JC Penney has not caved into the pressure from the group to oust Ellen- and given the fact she is entirely open, it is likely the retailer knew going in that hate groups would be an issue and has no plans to.

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Tags: Boycotts, Ellen DeGeneres, Gay Rights, JC Penney

About the Author

Kim LaCapria Kim LaCapria is a writer and editor based in New York. A longtime information junkie, she began blogging full-time at the Inquisitr in 2009. Prior to that, she worked as a marketing assistant in the cosmetics and skincare industry. In addition to her writing for fortytwotimes, she also writes for Medacity and The Inquisitr. Kim is also a contributor for SocialNewsDaily, Indyposted, and TotallyMoney. In the past, she contributed to Lipstick and Luxury and managed social media accounts and blogs for several small and mid-sized businesses.