Hallmark Pulls Same-Sex Wedding Ads After Complaints, Then Reinstates Them After Backlash

Hallmark can’t seem to avoid controversy this Christmas season.

Earlier this month, Hallmark ran ads featuring a same-sex wedding, which included a lesbian kiss.

In response, One Million Moms (1MM) created a petition, demanding that Hallmark remove the ads. Over 31,000 people took action and signed the petition.

Isn’t it almost 2020? @hallmarkchannel, @billabbottHC… what are you thinking? Please explain. We’re all ears.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 15, 2019

Hallmark promptly responded on Dec. 15, announcing it was reversing its prior decision:

In their full statement, the network said it is, and always have been, “committed to diversity and inclusion–both in our workplace as well as the products and experiences we create.”

The company also announced it would start working with GLAAD to “better represent the LGBT community across our portfolio of brands.” In addition, representatives said they would reach out to Zola to re-establish their partnership with them and reinstate the formerly pulled ads.

But now, once again, the Christian community is not thrilled.

Franklin Graham took to Twitter to tell the world he was not afraid to change the channel if Hallmark showed an ad with two gay people kissing.

“We can change the channel,” he wrote. “That’s what I’ll do if I’m watching @HallmarkChannel & an ad w/ gay people kissing comes on. My family—& many, many others—have appreciated their wholesome content. But the LGBTQ agenda bullies everybody—including them.”

1MM also created a fresh petition to boycott Hallmark in response to its recent decision.

“After subsequent backlash from the gay community, the Hallmark Channel caved,” the petition says. “Reversing what it called a ‘wrong decision,’ a Hallmark statement on Sunday said the channel will reinstate commercials featuring same-sex relationships.”

As of 9:15 a.m. EST today, over 27,000 people have signed 1MM’s petition.