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Hallmark gay movies 2021 movie#
Much like Kleenex or Band-Aid before it, a Hallmark movie is symbolic of a specific type of narrative invented by the brand: one that is warm, bright, nostalgic, and romantic.īut the films’ popularity is not just about the formula it’s about what the formula represents: togetherness. The network debuted its first Christmas movie in 2002, and since then, the network has set the tone for the current-day films. Thankfully, Hallmark is not too far behind. This year, in addition to numerous films featuring lead actors of various races, the network will premiere its latest LGBTQ-friendly film, Under the Christmas Tree, which features a lesbian romance. Each year, we look to try to expand on that,” Winter says. “We want everybody to feel like they are welcomed and included, and see themselves in the movies that we offer. Last year, the network released The Christmas Setup, its first Christmas movie featuring two gay cis male romantic leads. “Lifetime is a leader in diversity during the holiday season, 100 percent,” the network’s head of programming, Amy Winter, says. For the Lifetime network, championing diverse and complex representations of family has always been at the forefront of its seasonal “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” programming. And by early 2020, Abbott had stepped down as CEO, emerging this year with GAC Media’s clear, “family-friendly” programming strategy.īut if family is what you make of it, then so, too, should be our understanding of what makes something family friendly.ĭespite the new competition, networks like Lifetime and Hallmark have leaned into more expansive content for viewers. Shortly after, Hallmark reversed its decision and issued an apology. The backlash was swift, from social media users to celebrities to Saturday Night Live. Later, according to a report from Fast Company, One Million Moms claimed they had spoken with then Crown Media CEO Abbott, who reportedly told the organization that the advertisements had aired in error. Just 10 days after the new ads began airing, Zola received an email from the Hallmark Channel network saying four of the six spots would be taken off the air due to a violation of the company’s policy on airing “controversial” ads. One Million Moms, an advocacy group with possibly only one member, published a highly publicized petition against the commercials.
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However, despite running ads like these on Hallmark since 2017, the 2019 ads were the first to come under fire. In 2019, wedding website purchased several commercial spots during the popular Hallmark Channel holiday movie season. So far, this has meant largely white and definitely straight characters in GAC Family programming, raising the important questions: What does it mean to be family friendly? And how are the creators of Christmas and holiday movies working to expand our understanding of family?Ĭontroversy surrounding the GAC Family network was rooted in its origin. “They’re not going to come right out and say that, but the language is clear.”Ĭrafting films that are exclusionary goes against what makes the films so popular Deck the Hallmark features three men reviewing Hallmark (and the occasional Lifetime and Netflix) Christmas movies.
Hallmark gay movies 2021 tv#
Like, the people that don’t want to see LGBTQ representation,” Brandon Gray, co-writer of the book I'll Be Home for Christmas Movies: The Deck the Hallmark Podcast's Guide to Your Holiday TV Obsession and co-host of the popular Deck the Hallmark podcast, tells me. “GAC is trying to be the conservative channel for people that think Hallmark has turned too liberal. Rebranded as GAC Family, the network says it celebrates “American culture, lifestyle and heritage with holiday-themed, family-friendly original movies and series.” Created by Bill Abbott, the former CEO of Crown Media Family Networks (the parent company of Hallmark Channel), and Dallas-based Hicks Equity Partners, GAC Media acquired the Great American Country network, a country music channel, from Discovery, earlier this year.