Right - wing groups like the American Family Association pressured ABC to drop the storyline .
Ellen sponsors not to advertise ; two occasional advertisers , J.C. Penney and Chrysler , decided not to buy time during the episode .
Right - wing groups like the American Family Association pressured ABC to drop the storyline and Ellen sponsors not to advertise ; two occasional advertisers , J.C. Penney and Chrysler , decided not to buy time during the episode .