Ellen DeGeneres thanks supporters in JCPenney kerfuffle
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Ellen DeGeneres used her TV monologue on Wednesday to express her gratitude to those supporting her against criticism that JCPenney should not keep her as its spokesperson. She also reminded people that, well, she’s gay.
Hey, she is a comedian, people.
The traditional values organization One Million Moms ‘doesn’t think that I should be the spokesperson because I’m gay,’ DeGeneres said, and continued in her trademark deadpan delivery. ‘For those just tuning in for the first time, it’s true. I’m gay. I hope you were sitting down. I hate to break it to you this way.’
One Million Moms defines itself on its Facebook page as ‘an online activism campaign which gives mothers an impact with entertainment media decision-makers, and lets them know we are upset with the messages they are sending our children and the values being taught.’
A week ago, One Million Moms put out a statement asking that JCPenney remove DeGeneres as its spokesperson, saying in part, ‘The majority of JC Penney shoppers will be offended and choose to no longer shop there. ... By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JC Penney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years.’ The group asked supporters to make personal phone calls to the company demanding it lose DeGeneres as its new face.
In thanking JCPenney and others who are supporting her, Ellen defined her own traditional values: ‘I want to be clear. ... I stand for honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way you want to be treated, and helping people in need. To me those are traditional values, and that’s what I stand for.’
Among those supporting DeGeneres? Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, whom she thanked on Twitter and also on the show.
‘What is the difference between a McCarthy-era communist blacklist in the ‘50s and the Million Moms saying, ‘Hey, JCPenney and all you other stores, don’t you hire any gay people. Don’t you dare.’ What is the difference? ...’ the news anchor said Tuesday on ‘The O’Reilly Factor.’
‘This JCPenney thing is a witch hunt, and it shouldn’t happen.’
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-- Christie D’Zurilla
twitter.com/dzurillaville
