Now on the Hallmark aisle: Gay marriage cards

[orleans]

Source: associated press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Most states don't recognize gay marriage — but now Hallmark does.

The nation's largest greeting card company is rolling out same-sex wedding cards — featuring two tuxedos, overlapping hearts or intertwined flowers, with best wishes inside. "Two hearts. One promise," one says.

Hallmark added the cards after California joined Massachusetts as the only U.S. states with legal gay marriage. A handful of other states have recognized same-sex civil unions.

The language inside the cards is neutral, with no mention of wedding or marriage, making them also suitable for a commitment ceremony. Hallmark says the move is a response to consumer demand, not any political pressure.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iZl2uw2yTnV4K44E6PweHvdOQ8EAD92MLQFO0

[aquart]

1. About time.

The humor, of course, is that Hallmark is in Kansas.

[ShenandoahAspen]

11. GOD HATES HALLMARK!

:sarcasm:

[Javaman]

2. why does Hallmark hate america? nt

[terrya]

3. It's just good business sense.

People going into civil unions can use these cards also.

Kudos to Hallmark! :thumbsup:

[DebbieCDC]

4. As long as there's money to be made off of gay marriage cards Hallmark will be there

Hell, they'd make cards for Wicca weddings if they thought there was money to be made out of it. The almightly $$ rules everything.

[CatholicEdHead]

6. Yep, most card companies will follow Hallmark's lead

[Debi]

5. That's great - too bad Iowa doesn't recognize gay marriage - oh wait, they do - no wait now

they don't :crazy:

[chat_noir]

7. Hallmark is privately owned by the GOP loving Hall family

[RedLetterRev]

8. I've been saying that the instant they realize we're good money

those anti-gay laws will come flying off the books. Repukes never, ever let a little thing like their vaunted "morality" stand in the way of pocketing a buck. Obviously, they've already heard the multi-million-dollar boost the wedding industry has already gotten in MA and are salivating to have their piece of it.

[undeterred]

10. Exactly. Its all about the money.

[lynnertic]

18. It's those American Values

money money money

[Love Bug]

9. You know you've made the mainstream

when someone tries to make money off of it! Mazeltov!

[tbyg52]

12. Normally I'm not that big on commercialization, but in this case - Hooray! ;-> nt

[aquart]

14. Commercialization = normalization.

And in ten years kids will go to Uncle Danny's wedding to his beloved Matthew and refuse to believe there was ever a fuss over such an ordinary thing.

[tbyg52]

29. Yes, please! :-) nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

13. Hey if they can make a profit

Oh shit I'm sounding like a Republican.

[PM7nj]

15. I smell an AFA boycott!

[CatholicEdHead]

16. Probably soon

there are calls for one on other boards as soon as this came out. :puke:

[noonwitch]

21. It's a plot by Hallmark, McDonalds and Disney, you know

And Ford. It must be hard for the AFA to recognize that gay people spend money, too, and those who want to make money from gay people will offer products to them, and advertise to them.

[FreeState]

23. They already have the url registered as of today

boycotthallmark.com is registered to "Family Policy Network" the Virginia affiliate of the boycott-happy American Family Association.

[Tesha]

41. Oh , like American Greetings won't be on-board the gay marriage bandwagon in a flash?

Wait, I know, all those red-staters will start buying Blue Mountain Arts
cards!

http://www.bluemountain.com/kwsearch.pd?btnsearch=submit&strSearch=gay

Tesha

[Rockholm]

26. Now I can STOP boycotting Hallmark.

[Bozita]

27. Thom Hartmann reported on it today. Said AFA boycott is on.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/22/hallmark-boycott/

American Family Association launches protest against Hallmark.»
Today, the right-wing American Family Association (AFA) announced a protest of Hallmark for its decision to start selling gay marriage greeting cards. AFA wants Hallmark to “stop promoting a lifestyle that is not only unhealthy, but is also illegal in 48 states.” From the protest site:

We’ve all given or received Hallmark Cards – remember their slogan – “when you care enough to send the very best.” But promoting same-sex marriage for profit is not the very best for families or our nation.

Hallmark is a private company obviously driven by greed. Let them know you do not appreciate Hallmark promoting a lifestyle which is illegal in 48 states. American Greeting Cards, Hallmark’s competitor, does not offer same-sex marriage cards.

AFA also criticized Hallmark for having the secret purpose of “pushing same-sex marriage.” More on AFA’s previous boycotts here.

[XemaSab]

28. These people are confused

Since when is being gay illegal in 48 states? :crazy:

[CatholicEdHead]

33. They have WAY too much time on their hands

[galledgoblin]

17. :-3

very nice to hear, thank you.

[lynnertic]

19. um, I don't get the smilie

and I thought I was up on things. :blush: what is it?

[galledgoblin]

24. sweet, puppy dog, etc

I think it originally comes from an anime facial expression.

[lynnertic]

30. I get it.

thanks.

[graegoyle]

31. Hmmm...Looks like it could be cleavage or testicles.

Sorry, I was moved to be silly.

[Tesha]

42. :)3=> (Cleavage, etc.)

[Robb]

20. Hm. Ah yes, money!

I was amazed out here in the CO hinterland at how well-tolerated Gay Ski Week was, until a buddy in the industry pointed out the dual-male-income and (often) no-kids demographic is freakin' solid gold, baby. :D

A lot of blind GOP eyes turned to this sort of thing. Wallet wins in the end with these folks.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

22. it's like this over in Britain

Businesses are coming around to the fact that gays and lesbians have money, and childless gay couples mean more disposable income.

The traditionally homophobic Conservative Party are trying to court the gay male vote here because they just noticed some of them have money. Traditional misogyny has prevented them attracting lesbian voters though.

[Mad_Dem_X]

25. Fantastic!

Good for them!

[LeftyMom]

32. About goddamn time. I had a hell of a time finding a card for the Bridezillas last fall.

Luckily Target came through with some that were gender-neutral.

[orleans]

34. "Bridezillas?" n/t

[LeftyMom]

35. LostinVa and Haruka3_2000. nt

[orleans]

39. ah..... thanks for explaining.....n/t

[madeline_con]

36. " ...with no mention of wedding or marriage.."

Do they say anything about "civil union"??? :eyes:

[sakabatou]

37. Fundies have already started to go after Hallmark

"Well, here's another well-known business that's gone the way of the dogs. Yep! Satan is alive and well . . . going about devouring whom he pleases. Shame on you Hallmark!"
- Pinochos, The Christian Post

[onager]

38. Bwah!

Satan is alive and well . . . going about devouring whom he pleases.

Well now, an omnipotent god should be able to fix that!

More on-topic, I saw Colorado mentioned but no mention about one of the first formerly homophobic companies to court the gay consumer: Coors. Of course, once Coors saw the light, it hired a Celebrity GOP Gay Spokesperson, Dick Cheney's daughter.

Somewhat ironically, back when Coors was still loudly anti-gay, the company was running TV commercials full of shirtless, sweaty, muscular construction workers Doing Manly Stuff. I think my gay friends in Los Angeles would sit up till 2 AM just to videotape those commercials.

:rofl:

[Skittles]

40. NICE!

it is time - yes INDEED

[glancingthefuture]

43. great.

[readmoreoften]

44. Cool. I'm officially in a recognized market segment.

Yippee. Isn't that just great. Now if only my relationship counted to people who can lift the state-sanctioned second citizenship.

Of course now is when the AFA comes in and calls LGBT people commies and demands the cards be removed.