Dallas couple Todd Koch and Cooper Smith and their two children are featured in the June edition of J.C. Penney’s catalog.
Smith said he was asked by a casting agent in Dallas in early February to be in the Father’s Day issue after the agent saw his family’s Christmas photo on Facebook.
They agreed and did a photo shoot in Addison shortly afterward. He said the picture is very natural with the kids, Mason, almost 3, and Claire, 3, running around and having a fun time.
“The photo is just a one-second photo of our life,” Smith said. “It’s a candid moment of how we interact with each other.”
The ad features Koch and Smith in a relaxed home setting playing with their two children under the words “First Pals.” The text reads, “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.” The text at the bottom right-hand corner reads, “Real-life dads, Todd Koch and Cooper Smith with their children Claire and Mason.”
Smith said the agents were seeking a variety of families for the issue, but they are the only gay family featured.
“They were just trying to present a wholesome gay family and I guess we fit the bill for that,” he said. “They’re really trying to represent what America looks like, and that’s not just heterosexual white people.”
The company’s inclusion of a lesbian couple with their daughters and one of the women’s mothers in the May issue sparked the anti-gay hate group One Million Moms to reactivate a boycott of the store. The unsuccessful boycott had been dropped in March after J.C. Penney stood firmly behind its hiring of lesbian comedian Ellen DeGeneres as a company spokeswoman.
Smith said they were asked about the OMM situation before they agreed to be included, but he said it was not an issue.
“Obviously we’re not ashamed of our family,” he said. “It’s very tastefully done.”
Catalogs started going out Wednesday, and One Million Moms responded Thursday, writing on the group’s website that J.C. Penney is “continuing down the same path of promoting sin in their advertisements.”
The group urges the public to return the catalogs in protest, as well as call and email the company.
“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,” OMM’s statement reads online. “Our persistence will pay off! One day we will answer for our actions or lack of them. We must remain diligent and stand up for Biblical values and truth. Scripture says multiple times that homosexuality is wrong, and God will not tolerate this sinful nature.”
The full statement is below.
Avoid JCP this Father’s Day
One Million Moms (OMM) is disturbed that JC Penney’s (JCP) is continuing down the same path of promoting sin in their advertisements. In JCP’s June catalog, there is another homosexual ad, but this time with two dads celebrating Father’s Day. The advertising booklet began arriving in mailboxes yesterday. If their marketing department follows the same plan they did in May, this mailer will be available to view on their website on June 1.
The ad shows two men on the floor playing and hugging their two children at home. It 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. Real-life dads Todd Koch and Cooper Smith with their children Claire and Mason.”
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! One day we will answer for our actions or lack of them. We must remain diligent and stand up for Biblical values and truth. Scripture says multiple times that homosexuality is wrong, and God will not tolerate this sinful nature.
OMM will continue to avoid shopping at JCP until they take a neutral stand. If you receive their advertising booklets or catalogs in the mail, OMM recommends you write “REFUSED…RETURN TO SENDER” on your JCPenney catalog and try sending them back. If they receive an onslaught of their returned magazines, they will take notice. Also, you may email, call, or use their contact form on their website to unsubscribe from their mailers so you will no longer have these delivered to your home. If you have a store credit card, you can close your account, if you have not already done so, to help get the message across that you have no plans to shop with them in the future. Be sure to tell them why you are unsubscribing and canceling your credit card.
TAKE ACTION
Since the corporate office doesn’t consider your call important, please call, or visit, your local store manager. Local managers are more likely to listen to your concerns and pass them along to the corporate office.
Please be kind and request that the store managers to pass along your concern to corporate and urge them to remain neutral in the cultural war.
We believe that we should open many eyes to believing that we are people of Great Staute. We can install family values just like everyone else. We back JCP all the way.
Happy Fathers Day to all Fathers!
Legendary Texan, Morris Kight, was right!
“I do not feel challenged by organized religion. In some cases it is helpful, and often is harmful.”
Morris Kight
I would say that JC Penny IS being neutral. I hope this ad and the controversy it sparks only brings them more business. I want to know that stores have values, and are willing to back them, even if I don’t agree with their values.
Hi Anna,
Just to be clear, OMM is not a “anti-gay hate group” as you so eloquently put it, they are an anti-sin group. I love how people just want to brand anyone that opposes “sin” as some religious nut job organization. That is really far from the truth. What most people don’t understand about Christianity is that the whole church; pastor, deacons, elders….everyone…..are nothing but sinners.
Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
That’s all that God has in this world to do His job….a bunch of sinners. I have no doubt that homosexual men can be exceptional fathers, that’s not the issue. It’s that God does not approve of that lifestyle….nothing more. And it’s not just homosexuality, it’s a list of things.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – …Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God
I have met several so many called Christians that claim to be Christians, but live their life otherwise. Myself included.
God does not ask us to be perfect…he just asks us to be saved. Once you are saved, you turn away from what makes God unhappy and try to live a life that would bring Him glory. When you mess up, God’s grace covers your sin and it’s forgiven and forgotten.
God’s going to love you whether you are gay or not. It’s your choice to choose to follow Him….that’s the gift of His love. It’s free will to make your own decision.
This is life, I dont understand the attact on JCP. Being open and excepting everyone is what a respect is all about and what we should all live to do. Everyone has their own choices to make for their own reasons, and no one else has a right to judge. Attacking others means you dont love yourself. Make peace with yourself. Then you can except others.
I am a JCPenney employee, and I proudly stand behind the company in their stand to include the gay and lesbian lifestyle in their business. They are taking a neutral role on the stance.The company believes in diversity, which is what they incorporate into their catalogs. The OMM groups believe that they should remain “neutral” by not including these ads, but not including the GLBT lifestyle is taking an anti-gay stance, but not acknowledging them.
Why not represent ALL Dads? Good for JCP!
Here I had been worried that mainstream America hadn’t gotten the memo. Bravo JCP! We’re the melting pot of the world. It’s time to show it.
I don’t shop at JCP, but I think that they are freaking awesome for using that photo in their add. Just goes to show that not everyone is bigoted and prejudice.
I don’t think it matters WHO you love, only that you love.
Wrapping hatred and bigotry with a religious bow doesn’t make it any less hateful or bigoted.
Every single member of OMM is an ignorant piece of trash; a poor excuse for a human being.
Like it or not, there are gay people and they deserve to be treated equally. I am a single mother – NEVER MARRIED. My son was born out of wedlock (THE HORROR!!!!!!) Guess you guys should boycott me as I am sure it states in your book of fantasies (bible) that I am living in sin. You’re ruining our kids with this slander and bigotry. They will grow up intolerant of their fellow human beings. Live and let live you bitches
Go JCP for standing up for what you feel is right and not being influenced by this bullying group. The message is supporting Dads in all shapes and forms.
Daniel –
I want you to take another look at that quote you just published. Look at the first group who is listed as a “sinner.” Do you know what fornication is? To make it easier on your small mind, it’s sex. Yep, that’s right – everyone who has sex is now a sinner! All those straight couples having babies – they’re all sinners. And drunkards – I ask, have you ever gotten drunk? Because if you have, you’re now a sinner. And look at “revilers” – do you know what a reviler is? It’s someone who says something bad about someone else. Last I checked, that’s exactly what OMM is saying about gay people.
Now do me a favor, with all of that knowledge inside your little mind, please tell me how much weight that quote now holds…
Looks like I’ll be buying a Father’s Day gift at JC Penney’s this year. Nice to be without a doubt that my christian vietnam vet father will approve.
OMM claims they are against the advertisment of sin. SO let me ask……how many of those mothers let their children watch Television? To put so much energy into a cause that is pointless is a waste. My goodness what would happen if you got a Victoria Secrets catalog in the mail. Your neighbor might think you fornicate. OMG OMG OMG lets start a group.
Kudos to you JCP for representing ALL Dads. I fully support your campaign.
Timothy 2:12. Embrace that bible verse, OMM rather than cherry picking.
I don’t ordinarily shop at JCP cuz can’t afford it; but now I think I can’t afford NOT to. I applaud their openmindness in including the LBGT community in their advertising. Love should be celebrated, whether you’re white, black, yellow or polka dotted and sexual orientation should not be a factor. Love has no limits. YAY for JCP!
I just received the June catalog, the first JCP one in a long time. All are great pics of fathers. And hey, OMM thanks, I will be buying from this catalog for two reasons, one is to spite your evilness and two to show my support to JCP for being willing to show real families.
Seems like JCP will be a nice place to shop if all those obnoxious stuck up moms will not be there…thanks for the heads up for a pleasent shopping place…
I started shopping at Pennys after Ellen became their spokesperson. I was pleasantly surprised at their selection! Everyone should make an effort to at least visit Penny’s to see how they have changed. We need to support businesses that stick their neck out for the LGBT community!
Daniel, perhaps the rabid Christians should stop trying to make everyone get in line with their visions of “morality.” Not everyone in this country is Christian.
“Please be kind and request that the store managers to pass along your concern to corporate and urge them to remain neutral in the cultural war.”
Once again, the hypocrisy is lost on OM(HA!)M. If you don’t agree with them, you should shut up and “remain neutral,” however, if you agree with them, you should do all you can to push their agenda down everyone else’s throat.
Hi Daniel – Since you are an expert in the word of God, I have some questions for you: I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus
21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
Also, I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2.
The passage clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself?
Finally, Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A
friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not
Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
Thanks!
I wish people would stop calling homosexuality a “lifestyle”. No one chooses to be gay just like no one chooses to be heterosexual. You are what you are. Religious nut-jobs can’t get that through their bigoted minds.
Adopting and caring for kids is not a sin! Please shop for your Father’s Day gifts at JC Penney to counter this hateful “Christian agenda.” Rembember, there would be far fewer foster kids and gay adoptions if all straight folks were properly caring for their birth children. The Million Moms should spend their time helping struggling families and teaching parenting skills instead of preaching hate.
Interesting to see that OMM is an anti-sin organization, what strikes me is that the scripture describes hundreds of “sins”, are they going after all those sinners? Or only after “some” sinners? Why being selective?
Keep in mind, though, that not comiting any of the sins as described -specially in the Old Testament- may lead to living like people lived thousands of years ago.
Oh look, another right wing republican group attacking company’s that support gays.
as much as i hate religion and their dumb followers a family to me is a male and female and their off spring… its the same in the animal kingdom. I have no problems to love or have sex with anyone that you want, but some things evolved for a reason, and we have no reason to change that perception on things just to please a minority. We accept you for your inclinations but do not shove it upon us to make it feel natural and organic. Is not.
RMM — sure, gays should stop “shoving” their orientation on you. BUT to remain “neutral in this culture war,” y’all need to stop shoving your heterosexual lifestyle on us.
In short, how the hell is a picture of two men and their children any more “shoving” a perspective on you than a picture of a man and a woman is? Oh, right, because you’re a bigot.
I find it funny that “only be like we think you should be” is the only way of being neutral to these jokers.
Daniel,
I think there’s something in that great olde book written by who knows what white olde man about not eating shrimp. I love shrimp! And I love the colorful polo shirts I just got at JC Penney. Does this make me a double sinner?
Also I remember something about marrying my sister’s husband if she dies – I’m all confused. Where does morality live? Not in some olde booke, I’m afraid – it lies in your heart. And I hope your heart knows that people are people and we come in many different shapes, and lifestyles. When that booke was written, people barely traveled 2 miles from where they were born. C’mon – you must take your head out of the olde sande and realize that all that matters is love. All that matters is not harming others. All that matters is protecting our planet from self-imposed destruction. Be kind to each other – and stop the hate.
The bibble has some kind things in it – the stuff about shrimp and gays and marrying your sister’s brother and keeping of slaves is no longer useful – it’s time to mooove on. Treat others as you would like to be treated. I don’t give a rat’s backside about your sex life or who you chose to love. So please get off my back with that silly olde booke.
They “attacked” JCP? So, anyone who disagrees with this add is “attacking” it? Your victimization is absolutely pathetic and immature! Grow up!
The moms are clearly winning. JCP sales are in the toilet since Ellen. This gay dad crap is probably the death knell. How stupid of JCP.
I am a straight man.
I don’t have any gay friends, and I don’t lobby for equal rights.
But I think any business that supports equal opportunity – be it based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation – deserves our support.
I know that some people are uncomfortable with homosexuality – and it is their right to shop elsewhere. I have never shopped at JC Penney’s – but I will now.
Good Job JC Penney. As far as One Million Moms (hate group), get a life you nut-jobs. For all the bible quoting yahoo’s, last time I checked your not the judge
HenryCanDo, actually the sales have been dropping since before the re-branding, but good attempt.
Thank you JCP.
Homosexuality is an abomination. Soon as Obummer loses the election, REAL AMERICA will pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man one woman and reinstate DADT. We need to stop condoning sin and socialism and start condoning small taxes and strong family values in this country.
Steven Worf
New Fellowship Bible Church of Plano
Two people of the same sex cannot produce children without the participation of a third person. Therefore, you don’t need a Bible to see that this is twisted thinking. All you need us an unbiased biology book. You need a thorough brainwashing in public school to thnk of homosexuality as normal or healthy. Fact; the average lifespan of a homosexual male is about 42 years. A heterosexual male averages about 70. Ignoring facts is required to maintain twisted liberal thinking. Even most athiests living in the USA in the nineteenth century would have been outraged by this JCP ad. See https://www.conservapedia.com/Evolution for more interesting facts.
As a straight 65-year-old woman, I am delighted that JC PENNEY has chosen a policy of inclusion. This is America, and individual rights must be upheld. From both an ethical and business prospective, it makes sense to show respect and support of ALL your customers. If gays and lesbians are suited to spend their money at a business, they most certainly are also suited to be featured in advertising campaigns.
Jeff and Steven: you seem 2 be revealing your deep seeded self hate and repressed sexuality thru your toxic
words.
Shame on you both. Thank you JCP. Equality rocks in 2012.
It’s to bad ‘christians’ miss the point of the bible is love.FOcusing on individual verses to show your bigotry is missing the forest for the trees. And somewhere in the bible it days judge not lest yeah be judged. As a JCP gAy employee,i’m glad to work for a company that teaches us to be tolerant of others. We don’t have to approve of what others do…we have to be tolerant. I applaud JCP for having Ellen as a spoksman and definately support the pictures,to show that all families deserve happiness. Would the Moms rather have the children homeless or in homes where people don’t love them,or on the street?Again thank you JCP way to go!!
As a gay JCP employee,I am proud to work for a company that shows all families. You can disagree with something you dislike but you should still be tolerant.The bible teaches us to love one another. Mmo you missing the forest for the trees. I think the bible also says judge not lest yea be judged. So by your ‘judging’ you are condeming yourselves to the sins your preaching against. Also moms would you rather rhe children be homeless or rotting in stTe care. I applaud JCP for hiring Ellen and embracing diversity and tolerance,wsy to go¡!!
Everyone should be a Christian and think like I do. You should all read the religious book that I read, and share my values. Otherwise you are dammed to hell!
Just being cheeky. Here’s my real comment: JCP is extremely bold using this ad. I hadn’t really shopped there, but it’s definitely gotten my attention!
The family in the photo is beautiful, and you can see the love between them all. That’s what God really intended. Because in the end, the only thing left is faith, hope and LOVE.
Kudos to JCP! (And the women hating on them – is the reason I left religion a long time ago. Too much hate. I surround myself with loving people.)
@Maria Lehr ~ I love your humor, the love you express, and the positivity in your comment. And I believe that you are open-minded enough that you will not take offense to what I say next: What I’ve never understood is how Christians get away with such arrogance in proclaiming that what THEY believe is “the truth.” I will even go farther (gasp!) and will say that no one knows “the truth.” Whether the Bible is “the word of God” is a matter of opinion, and not a fact. Whether there is, indeed, a higher power is a matter of opinion. Insisting that one’s belief is “the truth” is akin to a Republican or a Democrat insisting that his or her way is the only “right” way, whereas the opposing party’s way is the “wrong” way. There is no such thing, in either politics or religion, that we mortals know for sure. We believe what our hearts “tell us” — although some certainly act as though they have lost their hearts along the way.
So, Steve Worf, this America that you love is supposed to govern what people do in their bedrooms? Are you going to run for the role of Chief of Fuck Police?
I bet atleast one just ONE of those so called MILLION MOMS has had a “GAY”romance with a woman.I also bet atleast one of those so-called MILLION MOMS is named GGGAAAYYY!!!LMAO because it’s true.MIllion MOMs you just may think your little tot is a boy or a little sweet girl hmmmm….. Excuse me their sexual preference will surprise you when they are preteen.
Daniel: I believe OMM is part of the American Family Association which is clearly listed as an anti-gay gate group “Based on based on their propagation of known falsehoods — claims about LGBT people that have been thoroughly discredited by scientific authorities — and repeated, groundless name-calling.” It’s executive director, Bryan Fischer has claimed in a blog post last May 27 that “[h]omosexuality gave us Adolph Hitler. Fischer proposed criminalizing homosexual behavior and has advocated forcing gays into “reparative” therapy. The AFA is also anti Muslim. Yes, OMM is part of this documented hate group.
https://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/the-hard-liners
What do you think is going to happen when you anger your conservative base customers and cater to a gay group that makes up maybe 5% of the population? Revenue at other stores is up & JC Penny is tanking. But I’m sure it’s just the new changes in sales & coupons, right? WWJCPD, What would James Cash Penny do? Wake up guys, time to fire someone. signed- EX-loyal customer for 20 years.
I have seen the day when men call sin righteousness and righteousness sin. I am in a day when anything but passive tolerance is hate speech. The majority of us are sick and tired of the lost compass thinking of the pandering left.
what is up with the person quoting Bible verses like that is some official rule book or legitimate text or something.
Didn’t you get the memo? Not everyone believes in fairy tales, santa claus, or your bible.