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Today: Yes to Gay Weddings


TODAY SHOW LOGO CAST X390 (FAIR PUBLCITY) | ADVOCATE.COM

Conversations between GLAAD and the Today show over the program’s Modern Day Wedding Contest have paid off: Today announced Thursday it will open the competition to same-sex couples.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation approached the show to change its rules and allow gay couples to compete after discovering “bride” and “groom” were the only two options on the entry form.

A spokesperson for the show said same-sex couples couldn’t enter the competition because gay marriage is not legal in the state of New York. After various media outlets called on gay and lesbian couples to demand that Today change its rules, producers for the show requested a meeting with GLAAD.

“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 GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios. “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. NBC is living up to its own high standard of fairness and for this, we applaud them. We encourage qualified same-sex couples to submit their applications to make the new contest submission deadline of Monday, July 12, and we look forward to next year when same-sex couples will have the ability to apply to the contest from the beginning.”

The winning couple will be awarded a wedding to be broadcast live on Today in October and an all-expenses-paid honeymoon.

Read the statement from Today: “Over the past few days Today has received a considerable response regarding our wedding contest application. The rules stated that eligible couples must be able to be legally married in New York, where we will host the wedding, therefore excluding same-sex couple applicants. Our intent was not to be discriminatory or exclusive. 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. Today is a longtime supporter of the LGBT community, and GLAAD considers us an ally. We are committed to keeping those relationships strong and positive. We have opened up the application process to same-sex couples, and will extend the deadline to Monday, July 12. Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive of all couples.”

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Reader Comments
  • Name: m
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 7:46:14 PM
    Hometown: Dannemora

    Comment:

    But also because the "anti-gay" argument using the bible is a load of bull.

  • Name: Olegario
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 2:55:17 PM
    Hometown: Beaverton Oregon

    Comment:

    I can see why they initially did not include the LGBT community in their contest. I am a gay man and know that we still have a fight ahead of us to ensure we have equal rights. All I need is the same exact rights that are given to straight couples who also enter into a civil union. "Marriage" is a religious term, personally the religious fanatics and right wing conservatives can keep the word...take it..it yours....but we need to change it to be considered a Civil Union and not a marriage, that would make things EQUAL. We need to focus on separation of Church and State. I accept you having your beliefs, but in this country we have a thing called freedom of religion, which means..let me educate those ignorant peeps out there, you can practice what ever religion you want but are not allowed to push your beliefs on the rest of the country. Not allowing Gay and Lesbians this right goes against that constitutional right.

  • Name: Chip
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 1:05:40 PM
    Hometown: St. Louis

    Comment:

    Of course everyone is forgetting that the audience must vote to decide which finalist couple gets the Today wedding. Expect the right-wingers and hate-mongerers (oops same thing!) to come out of the woodwork to keep a same-sex couple from winning. The Today Show might now accept applications from same-sex couples, but I think it will still be a long time before we see Today throw a same-sex wedding.

  • Name: Chip
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 1:05:05 PM
    Hometown: St. Louis

    Comment:

    Of course everyone is forgetting that the audience must vote to decide which finalist couple gets the Today wedding. Expect the right-wingers and hate-mongerers (oops same thing!) to come out of the woodwork to keep a same-sex couple from winning. The Today Show might now accept applications from same-sex couples, but I think it will still be a long time before we see Today throw a same-sex wedding.

  • Name: Mike
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 11:22:14 AM
    Hometown: Auburn, WA

    Comment:

    I'm reading the comments, the ones still bashing on the Today show for not allowing Gay couples to begin with and now for caving to the pressure and allowing gay couple in. I find that a little harsh, while I might not agree with their decision, it does make some sense, in New York, whether we like it or not, gay marriage is not legal. Did it take some conversation from others to change their opinion and their rules; yes it did. However, isn't this the best way to go about change in general; opening and changing minds based on conversation and discussion. I say, Bravo to the Today show for having this conversation in the first place, they could of just said "Forget it, our mind is made up." Thank you to them for listening!

  • Name: doug
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 10:41:00 AM
    Hometown: vb

    Comment:

    thank them for what- caving to pressure/doing something they didn't want to do...people's first reaction are usually their true reaction....they're more worried about ratings than equality. I'm passing on the Today show from now on.

  • Name: Thomas
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 7:35:24 AM
    Hometown: FloriDuh

    Comment:

    Due to the right wing backlash that is likely to follow, please send an email of gratitude to NBC. I just did...

  • Name: FakeName
    Date posted: 7/9/2010 7:12:46 AM
    Hometown: Anytown

    Comment:

    @Bob: stories on this site appear in the order they're posted. Only a moron would think that the order in which they appear has anything to do with their relative importance. There are plenty of things to criticize about how this site presents LGBT news. Story order is not one of them.

  • Name: mike
    Date posted: 7/8/2010 10:34:50 PM
    Hometown: cincinnati

    Comment:

    Tomorrow is July 9. Saturday and Sunday, then the deadline is Monday. This doesn't seem like it is doing much without extending the deadline another week.

  • Name: Bill d
    Date posted: 7/8/2010 9:56:15 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    Do you think I should submit an application for me and Matt [Lauer]? Oh, this isn't a fantasy wedding contest? Darn. I've always had a little crush on him!:)) Good work Today Show - I'm proud of you.



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