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Change is finally coming to Hallmark Channel. After decades of heteronormative programming, the network has announced that it will be adding LGBTQ+ actors, characters, and storylines to its 2020 holiday movie slate. Hallmark Channel’s decision comes just one week after the Crown Media-owned company ordered 40 new holiday movies for the 2020-2021 season, none of which featured a queer lead.
According to Out Magazine, Hallmark Channel is currently in “active negotiations” about this year’s LGBTQ holiday movies and will reveal “more details soon.” In a statement, Crown Media Family Networks exec George Zaralidis said that the company is exciting about expanding its “Countdown to Christmas” and Miracles of Christmas” slate in the coming months.
“Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us and we look forward to making some exciting programming announcements in the coming months, including announcements about projects featuring LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors,” said Zaralidis, vice president of network program publicity Crown Media. “We are committed to creating a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome.”
Last week, Hallmark Channel came under fire for the lack of diversity among its new 2020 lineup. While production remains shut down due to the pandemic, Crown Media announced that it will be debuting 40 films from November to January, including Christmas in Vienna, starring Grey’s Anatomy alum Sarah Drew. However, despite the star-studded slate, not one film features an LGBTQ lead, and social media users were quick to point out this fact.
This is not the first time that Hallmark Channel has courted controversy. Last holiday season, the network found itself in hot water when it pulled a series of Zola commercials featuring same-sex couples from the air. The company later backtracked and reinstated the ads, and Hallmark Cards CEO Mike Perry issued an apology. “We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused,” he said at the time. “Hallmark is, and always has been, committed to diversity and inclusion — both in our workplace as well as the products and experiences we create.”
