NBC Ends Rule Barring Gay Weddings on 'Today'
After a meeting with gay and lesbian activists on Thursday, NBC's 'Today' show said it is changing the rules for its annual wedding contest to allow same-sex couples to apply for a ceremony conducted on morning TV. NBC extended the deadline for applications until Monday. Already thousands of couples have expressed interest in the on-air wedding, which the top-rated morning show has sponsored for a decade, a spokeswoman said.
"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 the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Viewers plan every aspect of the wedding, from the cake to the clothing styles of attendants. NBC picks four couples from thousands of applicants, and viewers vote on which of those couples will participate.
Same-sex couples have been excluded because New York state law does not allow them to get wedding licenses. But NBC said GLAAD pointed out that a same-sex couple would be able to get a license from another state and still have their ceremony in New York.
NBC said it had listened to voicemails and read e-mails protesting its decision not to allow same-sex marriages. The show considers relations with the gay and lesbian community very important, it said in a statement.
"Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive to all couples," NBC said.
The only time same-sex couples were allowed to apply for the 'Today' wedding was in 2005, when an out-of-state wedding was held, said show spokeswoman Megan Kopf. No gay or lesbian couples were among the finalists, however.
Although 'Today' viewers decide which couple will get married on TV, they choose from among four that 'Today' producers screen and put up for a vote. So there's no guarantee that even if same-sex couples apply for the on-air wedding, viewers will have a chance to select one to participate.
GLAAD said it only learned last week that same-sex couples weren't allowed to apply, and issued a "call to action" for members to complain to NBC. Thousands did, the organization said.
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It sounds like you are getting rid of Matt and bringing in Jerry.
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I'm sorry to hear of NBC's decision of allowing same sex marriages on the Today Show! I will not be watching the show and will no longer support NBC network totally. May GOD forgive the United States and the direction we are taking.
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Don't let the door hit you on the way out !!
May God forgive you for being a hypocrit, prejudiced, hateful, narrow-mainded and out right stupid. I hope you don't end up burnng in hell......
Oh Pam, God loves you despite you being such a horrible representative for Him. As for the direction America is taking, what direction would that be exactly? The movement toward social progress and the granting of equal rights to all people? You see, I'm pretty sure that's the very concept this country was founded on in the first place. And it's because we move further toward social equality over time that women such as yourself now have the same rights as men.
But if that bothers you, perhaps you'd prefer somewhere more oppressive like Saudi Arabia. They aren't too kind to the gays...but then again they aren't too kind to women either. You see, equality isn't something you can cherry-pick. If you live in a country where equality is highly valued, then you need to understand that equality is for everyone. Not just for you. So it's your choice: support equal rights for everyone, or don't support the notion of equal rights. If you pick the latter, please stop voting, since women were only given the right to vote as part of an equality movement. Sorry, that's just how it works. Do we want equal rights in this country or not?
As a Christian it bothers me that there are so many narrow minded, bigoted so called Christians that think they know exactly what God thinks or would do. Maybe if you tried a little love and understanding you would then be a much better Christian and people would listen to you. I would say people should worry about their own ticket to heaven and unless you are so sure of your own don't worry about someone else. God made us all who we are and I am sure He loves us all even with our faults. Judge Not Lest Thee Be Judged.
Direction? I guess these people who are blasting Pam just don't read the same Bible as I do. Or, they tear out that page in Romans. I believe that if someone works as hard as another person they should get the same salary. I am not stupid to believe that men and women are exactly alike either. We are made differently. WOMEN!!!! If having babies is soo hard..quit! Most guys have to be talked into getting married and having them anyway by you women who are born with a time clock in your heads..GET OVER IT!!
Pam, so if your child wound up to be gay, you would disown him/her? Sounds like you feel gay people are not entitled to live as heterosexual people do.
Oh Pam, when you go up to heaven Jesus is going to laugh in your face and send you straight down to hell, where you will burn for eternity. May GOD forgive you and the direction you're taking, Pam. Maybe grow up a little first.
This is great, what an amazing thing for NBC to be doing. Now NBC can filter out all the awful hate-filled human beings like Pam Howard, OK, Arthur jackson, Emma and of course, Cathy as well. Hey head's up y'all, it's the 21st century and men and men can get married in a lot of states and so can two women. It is natural and it is what Jesus or anyone's God wants. God loves equality and peace. He dislikes hate That's what you people are doing. Jesus or God doesn't care and neither should you! GET OVER IT!
I just heard NBC has gone bankrupt because of you, OK and Emma.
Im totally with you, this sort of thing is fine when it's not broadcast, but now, I too won't be watching Today either. Sorry i'm not going to have Gay Marriage rammed down my throat. Enough already!
I'm sorry, but if you're getting hitched on the Today Show, you ARE gay.
I agree Pam. I know this is not the only moral concern with NBC's TODAY, but I guess it is the last straw. Good-bye NBC from TEXAS.
i agree with you totally
John, You might want to read a Bible andsee who burns in Hell.
Pam, you are going to get a lot of guff from ignorant people because of your statement. Trying to know God's mind is not it, and Christians know it. God gave us His written Word so we would know, correctly what He thinks. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
As for everyone quoting, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." I'm not going to tell you what that really means, but it does not mean what you want it to. If you want to know, find out.
Ephesians 6:13 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
God for you for taking a stand Pam.
Pam, as a fellow "Howard", my long-lost cousin, I really hope God forgives YOU for your bigotry. MY marriage to my husband as a gay man is just as profound as anyone else's, and probably more so when you count the morons who get married while drunk in Vegas with the Elvis impersonator or people who marry for immigration reasons or money reasons or whatever. Let God forgive you; meanwhile, you're a bigot, "cousin" or not.
What is your problem. You are suppose to love thy neighbor but instead you are full of hate. You are a hypocrite. You are the bad person!
Grow up people. Who cares if two people who love each other who happen to be of the same sex want to get married? With so many more important issues to worry about, I suggest some of you worry about your own marriage or relationship. As a senior and a grandmother (and very heterosexual thank you very much) it's time for America to get out of 1953 and into the 21st century. Don't you think that people who have to take responsibility for their actions, alimony, divorce, etc. might actually start acting more responsible. People talk so much about gay promiscuity, I mean why would you mess around on your partner if you have to pay the price for it?
The American Constitution says that all men are created equal. OK there were some exceptions - blacks were property so weren't people, women were "owned" by their husbands and couldn't vote until the 20th century, and oh yes, only rich, white landowners were allowed to vote when America was created.
So grow up people...
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I love you Grace!