Image Credit: Denis Reggie/NBCScore one for the gays! After a call to action by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, NBC’s Today show has announced that it will officially allow gay couples to enter its annual “Modern Day Wedding” contest, which each year features one couple getting hitched on live television, after voting by the show’s viewers. GLAAD reached out after it discovered that Today hadn’t been allowing same-sex couples into the competition. And what a lovely surprise: NBC listened.
Apparently relations with the gay and lesbian community are important to the network and the show. “Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive to all couples,” NBC said in a statement. The network had initially argued that it excluded gays and lesbians because “the couple must be able to be legally married in New York, which is where the wedding will take place.” The smarties at GLAAD, however, pointed out that New York legally recognizes same-sex marriages that are licensed in other states.
“We’re thrilled that Today Show’s ‘Modern Wedding Contest’ now recognizes what most fair-minded Americans have already concluded—a wedding celebrates love and commitment, whether the spouses are straight or gay,” said Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD. “NBC heard GLAAD and the thousands of viewers who contacted them. And they have moved to make their contest a truly modern wedding where any couple can share their story … we encourage qualified same-sex couples to submit their applications.”
And the network responded: “Our intent was not to be discriminatory or exclusive,” the network said. “In 2005 when the wedding took place outside of New York, the application process was open to same-sex couples. We have listened to every voicemail and read every email. We take this feedback seriously, and we will change our application process. Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive of all couples.”
How refreshing is this news? I’m loving it, not that I ever have any intention to get married on live television. But if my fellow gays want to do it, more power to them! Why shouldn’t they be able to get married with Meredith Vieira, Al Roker, and Matt Lauer standing nearby? What say you, PopWatchers? Excited about this news?
this is a little off-topic, but I love that you have a category tag for “gay/lesbian/Kathy Griffin”
I chuckled at those tags too.
About time! There is nothing wrong with LOVE people. I always get a kick when people say Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve… um, if Adam and Eve reproduced their children had sex with each other to reproduce (or had sex with either Adam or Eve). Do you know what that’s called… INCEST!
Pretty sad that they were forced to give in the the queers.
spoken like a true closet case
@Joe Your homophobic remark reinforces my theory that organized religion is the worst thing that ever happened to the human race. It continues to cause insane wars and devastation to what could be a peaceful planet. What harm do gays do? The world is overpopulated, so it can’t be that they don’t reproduce. In fact many adopt children who weren’t wanted by their birth parents. They are creative out of all proportion to their numbers [ Michaelangelo, Da Vinci etc.] What’s your problem? were you brainwashed by religion so the logical portion of your brain no longer functions?
Hey Joe- there is nothing wrong with gay marriage. As long as both chicks are hot.
So sick and tired of the Establisment “Caving” to any orginization that doesn’t agree with their policies or practices. Why have we become so Politically Correct? Gay’s shouldn’t be allowed to “Marry,” Civil Unions yes, but Marriage No. … And the day we begin to allow for Same Sex Adoption will be the Downfall of our society as we know it. I’m sure I’ll get loads of “you’re ignorant” comments but it’s MY OPINION and in this Country we are still free to have one… at least until the Obama Regime finds out that we have opinions…
BTW: The Tanning Tax is another step in the Racial Politics of the Obama Admin. I don’t know of any Blacks that use tanning beds. (Off the subject but threw it in anyway)
It’s people like you who argue for the case of having to fill out a form before you can share an opinion.
reaing it back, replace “argue for” with “make a”
do you know any “blacks” at all? doubtful…..
You’re not ignorant, you’re stupid. That’s my opinion, and I’m free to have one.
You’re hilarious. Your post is a joke, right?
LOL. Okay – the tanning tax thing cracked me up. I am a white girl. I use tanning bed, but I don’t argue the tax. Why? Because I know it’s bad for me, and I choose to do it. Honestly, it raises my monthly membership $2. WAHHHH (eye roll). AND, I actually know black people that do go to tanning beds on occasion.
See, I thought the downfall of our society was Cheetos Flavored Lip Balm.
MUST HAVE THIS!
Vivica Fox has said she tans to keep up her “chocolate”.
WOW — just wow! Homophobic, anti-Obama, false-”Free Country” teabaggery, AND racism — all in one post!
P.S. Same sex adoption is LEGAL many places, and scientific studies confirm the children are equally- or BETTER-adjusted than the children of heterosexuals. So “Society’s downfall” = good for the children!
Jones, I am pretty sure gays can adopt, and so far society is not falling…it is more so our downfall when people like you meet your fellow man with resistance, marriage is a right we should all be allowed
I’m actually pleasantly surprised. Hey NBC, you finally did something right!
Had the same thought, first good decision they’ve made in years.
Can Gays legally marry in NY?
read the article again
Right, so its pointless since they cant be married in NY where the ceremony would take place.
Right, so NBC is acknowledging that all over the country, regardless of whether it is legally recognized or not, gay people hold weddings.
I’m happy to hear this, but honestly it’s sad that it is exciting “news” when people are finally being treated equally. I’m not sure why haters care so much about what 2 people in love choose to do with their own lives. But good for the Today show!
Well said. I like what the president of GLAAD said, how a wedding celebrates love and committment, regardless of your orientation. Thats why gays and lesbians, in my opinion, want marriage and not some “separate but equal” thing, because marriage is a statement in committment and love.
Jones, I’ll defend your right to state your opinion, but you’re a moron and your premonition of “you’re ignorant” comments is the only thing that make sense in your post. Yay NBC! Now give Friday Night Lights a decent time slot and you will be back to being my favorite network!
I have no problem with adding gay couples to the wedding contest, but since white, middle America is voting, a gay couple dosen’t stand a chance in h*ll to win, so it’s pretty much a moot point.
we might be surprised. if the samesex couple has a nice back story and/or personalities they might get more votes than expected.
maria 66 – no I really don’t think I will be surprised. Even with a great story it won’t be enough. Unfortunately I am a pessimist at heart. This is one stepping stone toward equality, but it’s still years away.
Marriage is between a MAN and A WOMAN – otherwise it ain’t marriage.
I do not disagree that gay people can’t have the same rights as that of MARRIED people. But it just ain’t marriage.
We should totally try that. I can’t think of any historical precedent for why “separate but equal” would be an epic fail or anything…
No no no! Marriage is between a man and THREE women. Duh.
grandpajoe, I’ve gotta agree with you.
*rolls eyes*
Oh grandpa joe, you crazy old hateful coot!
*laugh track*
well one thing is for sure, marriage is between man and woman, but who is to say ONE GAY MAN takes the role of a MAN and ONE GAY MAN takes the role of the women, SAME THING! Even ONE LESBIAN takes on the role of a MAN and ONE LESBIAN takes on the role of a WOMAN…Get a grip…marriage, civil union…it’s all the same, just accept the change and let’s all move forward…I guess this is the “acceptance issue of the 21st Century” just as we had acceptance of blacks and whites together in the 20th….It still remains, but with a little more acceptance, just as this issue will still remain with a little more acceptance.
WON’T BE WATCHING THIS TRASH!!!
I feel the same way whenever I see straight people marrying in Vegas.
AWESOME!
Nice job, NBC! Someday this will be a non-issue, like how there used to be separate drinking fountains.
I actually the thought the worst part of this article was that Ann was wearing a white dress in the photo. Not cool!
Good on NBC. One of my favorite things about Connecticut, where I live, is that marriage is open to all couples. And guess what? Our state is doing pretty darn well. So all these “downfall of society” types can suck it.