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
