Anti-LGBT activists are naturally furious with Hallmark Channel for U-turn over lesbian wedding ads
Hallmark Channel is facing a boycott from anti-LGBT activists over its U-turn
Anti-LGBT activists have declared a boycott of the Hallmark Channel, after it decided to reinstate adverts featuring a lesbian wedding.
The US TV channel banned adverts from weddings platform Zola featuring a same-sex couple last week, claiming they were “divisive” after a targeted activist campaign from One Million Moms, which is part of anti-LGBT hate group American Family Association.
In the face of anger, the channel abruptly reversed its stance, apologised to the LGBT+ community and said it would run the ads after all.
However, after ditching the ban, the company is now once again facing fury from anti-LGBT evangelicals.
Anti-LGBT activists are boycotting the Hallmark Channel, giving them more time to watch Fox News.
Evangelical Trump ally Franklin Graham vowed to boycott the channel to get away from “gay people kissing.”
He wrote on Facebook: “My family has enjoyed this channel for years. We—and millions of others—have appreciated their wholesome content that was unlike so much of what is on television today. But the LGBTQ agenda bullies everybody—including the Hallmark Channel.
“[But] now they’ve announced that they’re reinstating the ad and will again be airing it and others like it. That’s a shame.
“Let the Hallmark Channel USA know how you feel about this type of content on their channel. Tag them in your comments below.”
Thankfully, Graham will be safe from gay kissing if he sticks to his regular TV diet of watching nothing but Fox News and The 700 Club.
Franklin Graham with US President Donald Trump during a Trump rally on August 22, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Ralph Freso/Getty)
Meanwhile, One Million Moms has officially added the channel to the extensive list of companies it is threatening to boycott – which includes PBS Target, Barnes & Nobele, Hotels.com, Kellog’s, Disney, Mattel, Netflix, Whole Foods, the American Library Association and Teen Vogue, in the past six months alone.
The group said: “It is the belief of 1MM that same-sex relationships are still extremely controversial and it should be left to parents to bring up the subject with children. It is clear that Hallmark is no longer family friendly, and parents will need to exercise caution before heading to the channel.
“Family entertainment is not the outlet in which to be politically correct by forcing tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality – a sinful lifestyle that Scripture clearly deems as wrong.”
A pre-written letter states: “Our family will change the channel and no longer watch Hallmark as long as the network surrenders to the LGBTQ agenda and air controversial topics.”
Hallmark Channel sorry for ‘unintentionally’ causing hurt by banning lesbian ads and calling them ‘divisive’.
Reversing its stance, Hallmark’s parent company Crown Media Family Networks had said: “The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we’ve seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused. Said simply, they believe this was the wrong decision.
“Our mission is rooted in helping all people connect, celebrate traditions, and be inspired to capture meaningful moments in their lives. Anything that detracts from this purpose is not who we are. We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused.
“Across our brand, we will continue to look for ways to be more inclusive and celebrate our differences.”
GLAAD’s Sarah Kate Ellis said: “The Hallmark Channel’s decision to correct its mistake sends an important message to LGBTQ people and represents a major loss for fringe organizations, like One Million Moms, whose sole purpose is to hurt families like mine.
“LGBTQ people are, and will continue to be a part of advertisements and family programming and that will never change. GLAAD exists to hold brands like The Hallmark Channel accountable when they make discriminatory decisions and to proactively ensure families of all kinds are represented in fair and accurate ways.”
