Comedienne and television presenter Ellen Degeneres has publicly
responded to calls or her to be fired from an advertisement for
family shop J.C. Penney.
As reported on PinkPaper.com last week, 'pro-family' group
OneMillionMoms have been urging the retailer to discontinue adverts
featuring Degeneres - because she is gay.
The far-right organisation - who describe
themselves as "an online activism campaign which
gives mothers an impact with entertainment media decision-makers,"
- argue she in an inappropriate choice.
To date, she has maintained a dignified silence. But today's
episode of her talk show will feature a direct response to who she
calls her "haters".
Speaking to the audience of her hit programme, DeGeneres said
she was "proud and happy" that retail store J.C. Penney had stood
by her on the matter.
"For those of you are just tuning in for the first time, it's
true. I'm gay. I hope you were sitting down," DeGeneres told
viewers.
"They (One Million Moms) wanted to get me fired and I am proud
and happy to say that J.C. Penney stuck by their decision to make
me their spokesperson," she said.
She also added that the company are not jumping "on the gay
bandwagon" as OneMillionMoms had implied.
"Being gay or pro-gay isn't a bandwagon. You don't get a free
ride anywhere. There's no music. And occasionally we'll sing 'We
Are Family' but that's about it," she said.
The episode which features the comments will broadcast
today.
Photo: courtesy of Wikipedia.
