Here we go again.
Just a few months after anti-gay group
One Million Moms launched a campaign to
remove Ellen DeGeneres as JCPenney’s spokesperson because of her sexual orientation, the group is
boycotting the department store
over a new ad featuring a same-sex couple. The Father’s Day ad shows
real-life dads Todd Koch and Cooper Smith playing with their children,
Claire and Mason. The ad reads:
“First Pals: What makes Dad so cool? He’s the swim coach,
tent maker, best friend, bike fixer and hug giver — all rolled into
one. Or two.”
One Million Moms, part of the
American Family Association, complained that JCPenney was “continuing on the same path of promoting sin” with this new ad, and
recommended their
supporters write “Refused … Return to sender” on their JCPenney catalog
when it arrives. They also advised members to close their JCPenney
accounts and talk to their local-store manager about their concerns.
“It is obvious that JCP would rather take sides than
remain neutral in the culture war. JCP will hear from the other side so
they need to hear from us as well. Our persistence will pay off! We must
remain diligent and stand up for Biblical values and truth.”
The last time One Million Moms and JCPenney locked horns, the store
responded by standing behind its partnership with DeGeneres,
stating
that “Ellen represents the values of our company” — and with this kind
of proequality advertising, JCPenney is “continuing to reinforce its
progressive values.” It’s not the first fight for either of them; in
February, JCPenney distributed a
Mother’s Day ad featuring two lesbian parents and their daughters; One Million Moms also took
a stance against Urban Outfitters after the store featured two women kissing in its catalog in April.
