CAN “One Million Moms” be wrong? Oh yes. Very! And this week the anti-gay, fundamentalist Christian hate group – a better name for which would be “One Million Morons” – is licking its wounds after a disastrous attempt to have popular TV talk show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres sacked by the retail chain J C Penney.

CAN “One Million Moms” be wrong? Oh yes. Very! And this week the anti-gay, fundamentalist Christian hate group – a better name for which would be “One Million Morons” – is licking its wounds after a disastrous attempt to have popular TV talk show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres sacked by the retail chain J C Penney.

OMM – an offshoot of the rancid American Family Association – got their frillies in twist after the company announced that openly-gay DeGeneres had been appointed the public face of JC Penney.

OMM immediately launched a campaign to demand that the Texas-based chain ditch DeGeneres, saying:

Funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of their customers are traditional families. The majority of J.C. Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there.

A spokeswoman for the company shot back, saying it “stands behind their partnership” with DeGeneres, and that they are proud to have her has their representative.

According to this report:

A ‘million’ moms can’t compete with three million daily viewers … Ellen has her own army of followers that transcend traditional demographics.

Supported by fans who are gay, straight, moms, dads, kids, and even television critics (she’s won over 32 Emmys), DeGeneres has surprised the industry’s once closeted Hollywood culture by proving that talent and likability can override bigotry, the site added.

Last year, OMM campaigned against Macy’s for including a wedding cake topper with two men in its catalogue, and its parent organisation, the AFA, launched an attack on Home Depot for participating in gay pride events.

Hundreds of the department store’s customers have supported DeGeneres’ appointment. One commenter wrote on J C Penney’s Facebook page:

As an American Mom in a traditional family with no gay or lesbian family members I want to respond with a big congratulations to both you and Ellen. Don’t let anyone tell you how to run your business. Not everyone in America is homophobic. I will continue to shop at your stores and admire your courage!!!

Another one of over 600 largely positive messages added to the company’s wall read:

The ‘One Million Moms’ group doesn’t speak for this Mom!!! I am thrilled that you have chosen to work with Ellen and am proud that your organization isn’t letting bigotry stand in your way!

 

Meanwhile, a petition set up in support of DeGeneres by Glaad has attracted over 29,000 signatures.

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