One Million Moms, an anti-gay group, is hoping to convince JC Penney to fire their new spokesperson, Ellen DeGeneres.
The group says that JC Penney’s decision to hire the openly gay TV show host will backfire since the store’s main customers are “traditional families.” One Million Moms has started a protest asking JC Penney to fire Ellen for being gay. One Million Moms wrote in a statement:
“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.”
GLAAD has launched a counter protest in support of Ellen. According to the NY Daily News , the “Stand Up For Ellen” campaign already has more than 10,000 signatures. Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs and Communications at GLAAD, said in a statement:
“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.”
Do you support Ellen? Do you think she’ll be a good spokesperson for JC Penney?
Michelle Obama appears to be a supporter of Ellen. The first lady was on the Ellen Degeneres show earlier this week and challenged the talk show host to a push-up contest.