GLAAD & Right-Wing War Over Penney’s Spokeswoman Ellen DeGeneres
The anti-gay group OneMillionMoms.com is calling for the department store chain J.C. Penney to replace their new spokeswoman, openly gay lesbian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
"Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families," the million (or so) moms write on their 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 organization provides phone numbers to the clothing store and is asking for supporters to call and request that DeGeneres be fired.
LGBT organizations, such as Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, are appalled at One Million Mothers' attempts to have the celebrity fired based on her sexual orientation. GLAAD has created the "Stand Up for Ellen" campaign, which asks for supporters to contact J.C. Penney and tell them "the company made the right choice in selecting her [DeGeneres] as its new spokeswoman."
"Since Ellen came out 15 years ago, the nation has evolved and support for LGBT people is at an all-time high," said Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs at GLAAD. "Although it is still legal to fire someone for being gay in 29 states, Americans are fair-minded people who know that firing someone just for being gay is not what this country is about. J.C. Penney is standing with Ellen and so do we."
Since the campaign was launched, an L.A. Times poll reported that 97 percent of readers support DeGeneres and that more than 10,000 people have signed the GLAAD online petition to thank J.C. Penney.
"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," Graddick said in a statement. "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."
Another anti-gay group recently attacked a large department store, EDGE reported. A group that is closely connected to the anti-gay Christian group the American Family Association slammed a catalog from Macy's for including a gay marriage image.
The catalog shows a two-groom cake topper on top of a wedding cake, which was inside of a car. The car had a license plate that said "I do."
"Just because gay marriage is legal in a few states does not mean this is appropriate marketing. As a conservative customer I will not support it," the group reportedly said.
Macy's has supported the LGBT community in the past and a spokeswoman for the company told Fox News that it embraces all walks of life.
"Macy's proudly serves a large and diverse marketplace, including customers with a wide range of needs and preferences," Macy's spokeswoman Beth Charlton told Fox. "We strive to embrace customers of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, races, faith traditions, genders and lifestyles through the products we sell and the content of our marketing."
"Our goal is to be inclusive. Not everything we sell or do will appeal to everyone, but that is the nature of a free society where consumers can make choices of their own," she added.