The bible doesn't really call it a sin, not to my knowledge. People
seem to interpret it that way. And even if it does, lust, gluttony, greed, envy, jealousy, pride, sloth, and wrath are also supposedly
deadly sins. Yet humans in our flawed nature exercise all of these. So what makes a person who's life is driven by greed any less
sinful than one lead by homosexuality?
Oh, wait, no I know.
Gay men and lesbian women are morally corrupt! And them having children is putting the children's moral beliefs in danger of corruption!
Maybe they'll grow up to be gay and follow in their parents sinful footsteps and find same-sex partners of their own! My gosh we must
not let this happen!
Please. That’s a load of bull.
Am I supposed to believe that two loving men or two loving women entering a commitment with each other is wrong? And why? Because
they love each other? Because they want to make a life together? Because they are mature and ready to start a family? That doesn’t
sound wrong to me.
In a controversial move, national fashion retailer
JCPenney has published an ad for fathers day that depicts an actual gay couple and their two children from Texas. Cooper Smith and
Todd Koch are pictured playing with their three-year-old son and daughter, all four dressed casually, sitting on the floor, smiles
all around. The simple text on 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 up into one. Or two.” It's the encore, so to speak, to the mothers day ad that showed two lesbians
and their daughter.
It’s a controversial move, one in a long series,
that’s sparked outrage from a conservative group of women who call themselves “One Million Moms”. This group, which on Facebook only
has about 40,000 members, has called for their members to boycott JC Penney, in addition calling and visiting their local stores and
store managers demanding that these ads be removed from all press material.
“[JCPenney’s] homosexual ads are desensitizing our children by normalizing this sinful lifestyle choice,” Monica Cole, director of
One Million Moms said in a statement, “The bible clearly states that marriage is between a man and a woman. No one, including JCP,
can redefine it.”
One Million Moms has suggested to its members
and supporters that they return the catalogue to JCPenney with the message “Refused…Return to Sender.”
JCPenney CEO, Ron Johnson, in turn defended the ad with the following statement:
“We want to be a store for all Americans. We're proud that our June book honors men from diverse backgrounds who all share the joy
of fatherhood.”
That’s a belief that Cooper Smith and Todd Koch
agree with, one of the reasons they obliged to do the ad.
“We knew
that there would be some opposition, but it’s nothing that we haven’t heard from people our whole lives. It’s just a part of growing
up gay.” Smith said, “That photo is actually a true second of our lives: just having fun, playing with our kids, and the affection
and love that we have for them.”
The couple claims that they are
a normal family who were referred to JCPenney through a friend who knew about the company’s search for a gay couple and their children
for the Father’s Day ad. Even with the opposition, the couple say that most of the feedback that they have received regarding the
ad has been overwhelmingly positive and that they would do it all over again.
Some kids don't even have a father, some kids only have one. These two three-year-olds are incredibly lucky to have two. And
you know something? It’s none of our business. It’s not our business who these people love and who they choose to be with. If a man
decides that he’d rather be with a man, then so be it. We have no right to intrude on their relationship and try to end their happiness
and demean their love because it makes some people uncomfortable. And if you happen to come across a gay couple and it bothers you,
simply turn around and walk away.