In reversal, Hallmark will reinstate commercials featuring same-sex couples

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

By Jocelyn Noveck

NEW YORK (AP) — The Hallmark Channel, reversing what it called a "wrong decision," said Sunday it will reinstate commercials featuring same-sex couples that it had pulled following a complaint from a conservative group.

The earlier decision by Crown Media, Hallmark's parent company, to pull several ads for the wedding planning site Zola featuring two brides kissing at the altar had launched a storm of protest. Celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and William Shatner criticized the move and the hashtag #BoycottHallmarkChannel was trending on Twitter at one point.

"The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we've seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused," said a statement issued Sunday evening by Hallmark Cards CEO Mike Perry. "Said simply, they believe this was the wrong decision. ... We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused."

Zola, the wedding planning site that made the ads, said it was relieved that the decision to pull them had been reversed. In an email to The Associated Press, the company said it would be in touch with Hallmark "regarding a potential return to advertising."


This image made from undated video provided by Zola shows a scene of its advertisement. The Hallmark Channel says it will reinstate same-sex marriage commercials that it had pulled from the network. Hallmark Cards CEO Mike Perry said in a statement Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, that pulling the commercials “was the wrong decision."

ZOLA VIA AP


Read more: https://www.omaha.com/news/trending/in-reversal-hallmark-will-reinstate-commercials-featuring-same-sex-couples/article_968dda40-cd0a-536d-884b-7782498229b6.html

[ck4829]

1. Yeah, you don't need to listen to OneManWithAMillionEmailAccounts

[Botany]

6. One Million Moms is really 6 or 7 guys* who live in their mom's basement and have email accounts

Last edited Mon Dec 16, 2019, 11:32 AM - Edit history (1)

It is a phony organization. CBS and other news organizations have tried to get somebody
from the One Million Moms organization (part of the American Family Association listed as
a hate) to speak on the record and nobody would do so.


* Who couldn't get laid in a woman's prison with a pocketful of pardons, 4 cases of wine,
and a key to the prison's front door. (Or they are wife beaters.)

[AllaN01Bear]

2. eggscllent

[Boomer]

3. Sorry, too little, too late

Crown Media knew exactly what it was doing when it pulled the ads. It's disingenuous to say they were trying to avoid divisiveness -- cutting out LGBTQ couples is divisive by its very nature.

Putting back the ads isn't a change of heart, it's a business decision based on triggering a bigger pain point than they anticipated.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I won't forget.

[Aristus]

9. Yeah, their "Gracious! Did WE do that?" schtick cuts zero ice with me, too.

[azureblue]

4. once again a religion tries to force its values

on everybody. And is inconsistent, to boot. I get it that they are using their religion to justify homophobia. (Weird point - there is nothing in the Bible that forbids gay female relationships). But if that religion must be consistent then they should not eat pork, shellfish, wear glasses to church, have tattoos and trim their beards. But no, they just cherry pick the male homophobia verse. Which brings out their hypocrisy, and in turn, makes them a bunch of self serving zealots. Who should just keep their warped version of Christianity to themselves.

I don't eat pork. So should I try to stop pig farms, pork processing pants, grocery stores that sell pork, and places that serve pork? No. So neither should they try to interfere with gay relationships.

[rownesheck]

5. I never understand

why anyone listens to the fake concerns of these conservative religious groups. The reality is they make up a tiny segment of the population and they choose to exist in a backward ass bizzaro world. Ignore them and they will either decide to live in normal land or they'll disappear.

[Boomer]

11. Because like minds

The original retraction of the commercials appears to be where Hallmark's true sympathies lie. The very fact that they considered pulling the ads to be non-divisive shows where they perspective aligns.

They took a stand against LGBTQ freedom, and it bit them hard. Now they're sorry they got caught.

[truthisfreedom]

7. Round and round and round...

[EndlessWire]

8. It's really the economic hit they were going to take

during the season when a lot of cards are still sent through the mail. And when celebs weigh in, they can really do a job on you.

Hallmark follows a formula for the Christmas movies and I don't blame them for their trope niche. There's nothing wrong with that. But, I would rather see that they not only took it back, but also presented a new beginning of gay cards and movies. Doesn't have to be an avalanche. Just loosen their grip and make their niche shine.

[flibbitygiblets]

10. Hooray! Now let's get some LBGTQ holiday cards and movies, and call it "lesson learned"

While you're at it, Hallmark Channel, how about having a POC or two in the lead roles for once?