Macy's Ditches Christian Values Network

Macy's has become the latest in long list of companies backing away from the Christian Values Network after learning antigay groups like Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council are using CVN.org to raise money, according to Change.org. Critics of CVN have been circulating a Change.org petition to persuade Apple to also withdraw from CVN, a Web portal that lets users shop at various stores and support Christian organizations at the same time.

When asked why Macy's removed its store from CVN.org, a Macy's spokesperson told Change.org, "Macy's serves a diverse society. As such, we are deeply committed to a philosophy of inclusion in the way we operate our business and support our communities. We welcome all customers into our stores."

So far, Wells Fargo, BBC America, Delta, Macy's, and Microsoft have removed their ads from CVN.

Western Washington University student Ben Crowther has petitioned Apple to remove iTunes from CVN because the portal facilitates fund-raising for antigay and antiwomen organizations such as Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council. Crowther's petition has more than 16,000 signatures.

"I wonder if Apple is even aware they are being used to raise money for these homophobic groups," Crowther said. "It is so out of character for Apple to be associated with groups like Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council. I hope Apple acts quickly to remove their store from the Christian Values Network."