One Million Moms is after JCPenney again, and this time it’s not about Ellen DeGeneres; it’s because of their recent May catalog which includes a photo of a lesbian couple with their two daughters.
The group feels that the addition of a lesbian couple in the magazine means JCPenney is taking sides, and wants the store to “remain neutral” instead. OMM wrote on their website:
“OMM has so many issues to cover we had no choice but to move on earlier in the year but have decided to revisit this issue and speak out again. It is obvious that JCP would rather take sides than remain neutral. JCP will hear from the other side so they need to hear from us as well.
Last time OMM contacted JC Penney store managers, we were brushed off. Some even experienced in person the store manager saying “Thank you” and walking off while their customer and our concerned members were in mid-sentence. OMM has been told that JCP corporate office told store managers to say “Thank you” and then walk away. If they want our business, then we will not be ignored!
The store managers are the ones who can communicate to corporate for their customers. Managers will not want to be in the middle so when we politely express our concern to them, they should realize that they are the ones taking all the complaints and corporate is not having to answer for the decisions they are making. Managers will pass along customers’ frustrations, and their own, to corporate because they will likely get tired of their game. Managers will also have to answer to corporate for the loss in sales from traditional families, so we will give them the proof they need to back this up when we tell them we will no longer be able to shop with them until they take a neutral stand.”
OMM is urging concerned customers to call or visit their local store managers, but request kindness “when you ask them to tell corporate that they should remain neutral in the cultural war.”
JCPenney didn’t budge last time One Million Moms threw a fit, threatening to boycott the retail chain if JCPenney didn’t fire openly gay spokesperson Ellen DeGeneres, and it doesn’t look like they have any plans to do so this time around.
JCPenney told ABC News:
“We want to be a store for all Americans. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’re proud that our May book honors women from diverse backgrounds who all share the heartwarming experience of motherhood.”
