One Million Moms calls to boycott Hallmark after channel announces 'active negotiations' for LGBTQ storylines
One Million Moms, a division of the Christian-right American Family Association, is calling for a boycott of “all things Hallmark” in response to the Hallmark Channel’s announcement that it is considering LGBTQ storylines for its upcoming holiday movie lineup.
The petition comes shortly after the Hallmark Channel revealed an advance look at 18 original films coming later in the year, which was met with harsh criticism from people upset about the channel’s ongoing lack of LGBTQ representation. George Zaralidis, vice president of network program publicity at Crown Media Family Networks, which owns the Hallmark Channel, was quick to respond to the criticism and provided a statement to Yahoo Entertainment assuring that only a small portion of the 40 original films were announced and that diversity and inclusion remains a “top priority” for the network.
“We look forward to making some exciting programming announcements in the coming months, including announcements about projects featuring LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors. We are committed to creating a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome,” the statement continued.
Zaralidis also told NBC News that the channel is in “active negotiations” to make those changes happen. These statements, according to the One Million Moms campaign titled, “Hallmark Is Loud and Proud About Its Lead Gay Characters,” is what prompted the group’s call to action.
“Please do not add LGBTQ movies to the Hallmark Channel lineup. Such content goes against conservative values that are important to your primary audience,” One Million Moms’s statement to Hallmark Channel reads on its website. “You will lose viewers if you cave to the LBGTQ agenda. Our family will change the channel and boycott Hallmark — the channel and Hallmark products — as long as the network surrenders to the LGBTQ agenda and airs controversial topics. For years, Hallmark was set apart from other channels because it aired wholesome content. Unless Hallmark realizes the mistake it has made by caving to LGBTQ activists’ groups, my family will have no other choice than to boycott Hallmark.”
Within the campaign, the group claims that “So many people feel betrayed by Hallmark,” and makes mention of a previous petition that called to boycott the Hallmark Channel after airing a Zola commercial featuring a lesbian kiss. “Hallmark Channel was one of the remaining channels that families could watch without being bombarded by politically correct commercials and the LGBTQ agenda,” the campaign reads. “One Million Moms is boycotting all things Hallmark. This includes Hallmark Channel, Hallmark wrapping paper, greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, etc.”
In response to the campaign and petition, a Crown Media spokesperson tells Yahoo Entertainment, “A priority for Hallmark Channel is to develop a broad mix of content, characters and stories in order to create a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome.”
One Million Moms didn’t immediately respond to Yahoo Entertainment’s request for comment. The One Million Moms petition has 38,696 signatures as of Wednesday evening.
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