Hallmark Channel's Decision To Pull Ad Featuring Same-Sex Couple Causes Backlash
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — The Hallmark Channel buckled under pressure from a conservative group, and pulled ads that featured same-sex couples.
One of the ads from the wedding planning site, Zola, showed two brides at the altar, talking and then sharing a kiss.
Hallmark's parent company, Crown Media, says it pulled the ads because the controversy became a distraction.
The company also confirmed that the group, One Million Moms, spoke with its CEO. Ads featuring heterosexual couples were also pulled.
Stars including Ellen DeGeneres weighed in on the controversy:
Isn't it almost 2020? @hallmarkchannel, @billabbottHC... what are you thinking? Please explain. We're all ears.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 15, 2019
Actor William Shatner also took to Twitter:
Shame on @hallmarkchannel! ????Put the commercials back! @1milmoms has 4K followers. I have 2.5 million and my friends have more. Who are you going to listen to? They are NOT a majority here. Both me and my followers watch your shows, do they? ????????♂️ #loveislove Do the right thing. https://t.co/Af4UWf59xi
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 15, 2019
And California Governor Newsom also tweeted:
This is the ad that Hallmark Channel pulled down.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) December 15, 2019
Watch it.
Share it.
Same-sex marriage is the law of the land. There is no one way to love and be loved. pic.twitter.com/1JzNdN8I9v