A 'pro-family' group in the United States are urging one of the country's major retailers to discontinue adverts featuring Ellen Degeneres – because she is gay.
The talented TV star is scheduled to appear in five commercials for homeware and clothing J.C. Penney, but Monica Cole, director of OneMillionMoms, is the driving force behind the revolt.
Her organisation – who describe themselves as "
an online activism campaign which gives mothers an impact with entertainment media decision-makers," – argue that she in an inappropriate choice.
She claims that Degeneres should not be a spokesperson for the store –
which sells women's clothing, men's clothing, kids, furniture, bedding, jewelry and shoes – because she represents a minority group.
As a result, they are urging people to contact the store's head office and politely request a different celebrity to feature in the adverts.
"DeGeneres is not a true representation of the type of families that
shop at their store," Cole told website OneNewsNow.
"And they're going to be gaining a very
small percentage of liberal customers. This will not satisfy or offset
their loss in sales. They will be losing more than they'll be gaining."
"[We're] asking J.C. Penney to hire
a spokesperson who's more representative of the type of the customers
that shop in their stores, such as traditional families," she added.
However, the backlash has not been welcomed by Ron Johnson, CEO of J.C.
Penney. He told The Associated Press that they worked with Ellen because she is honourable.
"I think Ellen is someone we all trust," he said. "She's lovable, likable, honest and funny – but at her soul, we trust her."
Photo: © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com
