Anti-gay group slams JC Penney for hiring Ellen DeGeneres as spokesperson

[xchrom]

http://lgbtweekly.com/2012/02/01/anti-gay-group-slams-jc-penney-for-hiring-ellen-degeneres-as-spokesperson/


Photo Credit: EllenTV.com

JC Penney is revamping its image and a part of its makeover includes hiring Ellen DeGeneres as its new spokesperson. While LGBT activists and allies have praised the move, the anti-gay organization OneMillionMoms.com funded in part by the American Family Association is calling for the department megastore to remove DeGeneres as its spokesperson because she is a lesbian.

“Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families,” the group writes on its website. “DeGeneres is not a true representation of the type of families that shop at their store. The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there. The small percentage of customers they are attempting to satisfy will not offset their loss in sales.”

The group’s Facebook page, however, testifies that not all of its demographic are opposed to DeGeneres serving as JC Penney spokesperson. One Facebook friend said, “Bullsh*t! OMG! This page infuriates me! WTH is wrong with you people? And why do you think you speak for the MAJORITY?” she said. “I see JOKE pages with a bigger following. Maybe it has something to do with your prejudice attitudes and holier than thou rhetoric.”

Another Facebook friend added: “I haven’t been in a JC Penny for a long while. I’ll make it a point to stop in and give them my business. Thanks for calling this to my attention One Million Hateful Moms!”

[atreides1]

1. Can anyone

Tell me what the definition of a "traditional family" is.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I want to know that too

Like my family growing up? In the 1970's/1980's - I mean with a white mom and a black dad we were not exactly America's idea of traditional . . . so I'd really like to know what 'traditional' means.

[MarkCharles]

3. It's about the same as the myth of a...

"moral majority"!

Seriously, though, Ellen is a favorite among progressive and middle-class women of all backgrounds and religious beliefs. She's also a very well-loved woman among the LGBT community, for her success and her forthrightness, not to mention her outstanding talent as a comedian and talk show host.

It was wise of J.C. Penny to take her on as a spokesperson: they know who does the clothes shopping, NOT the white straight men, by and large.

[fredamae]

4. I'll try......

A "traditional family" in America is a group of folks, sometimes biologically related, sometimes not who collectively and consensually share their lives. A family is constructed of "simple humans" who love and enjoy and work and build futures together.

[Not Me]

5. Pretty soon AFA is going to be boycotting everyone...

they should step back and get the message.

[MarkCharles]

6. These are the Sarah Palin moms. If you look at...

If you look at their Facebook page, prominent in the pictures at the top of the page is Sarah Palin.

These are the religious fundamentalists and Evangelicals. That's who this group is made up of.

Of course, it has to do with their rigidity, and general ignorance of what is going on in the world and the nation, outside of their own church group.

These people are also touting their "pride" at the Komen foundation's removal of funds from Planned Parenthood.

By the way, much of the comments to anti gay anti- Planned Parenthood announcements on that group's FB page are by people who deplore what they are doing, gay folks, and women and men who champion Planned Parenthood. Worth a look.

[Initech]

7. Don't these idiots have anything better to do?

[xfundy]

8. Hate raises money!

And, as the church and repigs are one now, it makes perfect business sense.