THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"The debate surrounding these commercials on all sides was distracting from the purpose of our network, which is to provide entertainment value," said a statement provided by Molly Biwer, senior vice president for public affairs and communications at Hallmark.

However, this move has had consequences for the network. The wedding planning website Zola said it will pull all of its advertising from the Hallmark Channel "for the foreseeable future" after this development, TheWrap noted.

Also, local and national figures have called out Hallmark. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, "We are at a point in our nation when we need to come together and we don't need to give any voice to hatred," WBBM Newsradio reported. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres ( addressing Hallmark and President/CEO Bill Abbott ) tweeted, "Isn't it almost 2020? @hallmarkchannel, @billabbottHC... what are you thinking? Please explain. We're all ears."

In addition, the Human Rights Campaign has suspended Hallmark Cards Inc.'s score on its Corporate Equality Index in response to the channel's move. "By backing down on visibility and representation, Hallmark has failed the LGBTQ community and all of their customers. Given Hallmark's actions and failure to correct it, the Human Rights Campaign is suspending their Corporate Equality Index score," said HRC President Alphonso David.