Candace Cameron Bure Responds to Backlash Over TV Network Focusing on ‘Traditional Marriage’
Jodie Sweetin, Holly Robinson Peete, and JoJo Siwa are among the stars who are outraged over Bure's comments.
Candace Cameron Bure is trending on Twitter and not for a good reason. Days after an interview with The Wall Street Journal in which Cameron Bure reveals that the Great American Family network or GAF likely won’t feature LGBTQ+ characters or storylines, stars are speaking out.
Bure is now the chief creative officer of the network, after leaving her 14-year stint with the Hallmark Channel in April.
“I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core,” the QVC personality and Fuller House star told the journal.
When asked if GAF would showcase a more diverse set of characters and storylines like Bure’s former employer, the Hallmark Channel, Bure rebutted that the purpose of GAF is to “promote faith programming and good family entertainment.”
“My heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them,” she explained. “I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.”
JoJo Siwa, who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, was among the first to speak up. “Honestly, I can’t believe … she would not only create a movie with intention of excluding LGBTQIA+, but then also talk about it in the press,” the 19-year-old shared on Instagram. “This is rude and hurtful to a whole community of people.”
Cameron Bure’s former co-star Jodie Sweetin responded with a supportive “you know I love you ❤️❤️.”
Actress Alyssa Milano echoed Sweetin’s sentiments, stating “thank you for being such a positive role model for my children.”
Holly Robinson Peete, who has also starred in movies on the Hallmark Channel, told fans on Instagram: “As a proud mom of an lgbtqia person, the traditional marriage quote stung. Proud to be on Hallmark channel which understands the importance of diversity and inclusion of EVERYONE 🌈🌈🌈”
Bure responded, in a statement to People: “All of you who know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people. It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone. It saddens me that the media is often seeking to divide us, even around a subject as comforting and merry as Christmas movies. But, given the toxic climate in our culture right now, I shouldn’t be surprised. We need Christmas more than ever.”
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Great American Family CEO Bill Abbott had previously stated: “It’s certainly the year 2022, so we’re aware of the trends,” he said of the subject at hand. Like Bure, Abbott left Hallmark Channel to join the network. Abbott’s claims also angered many people who took offense to same-sex marriage being referred to as a ‘trend.’
Backpedaling, Abbott clarified that he, Bure, and the team don’t have a “whiteboard that says, ‘Yes, this’ or ‘No, we’ll never go here.'” But, don’t hold your breath. There are currently no plans to do so as of yet.
Besides the celebrity response, Bure’s controversial remarks over GAF’s choice of programming also sparked an uproar with fans on Twitter.
Petition for Lindsay Lohan to replace Candace Cameron Bure as the chief creative officer at Great American Family when
— Kit Williamson (@kitwilliamson) November 14, 2022
Several fans are pledging to not watch Bure’s new Christmas movies while others are calling for the cancellation of GAF.
I think candace cameron bure accidentally said the quiet part out loud
— UntemperedTelevision (@UntemperedTV) November 15, 2022
One person joked that maybe Bure read “the quiet part” of her cliff notes aloud during the interview.
Currently saddened to learn that Candace Cameron Bure has moved to work with a TV network that calls straight couples the traditional marriage.
I no longer support her. Her views on the LGBTQ+ community is sadly anti – Christian. Jesus loved EVERYBODY.— Theresa 🤠🏴☠️🦫🦦🦃 (@swiftiebuckycas) November 15, 2022
Twitter user @swiftiebuckycas summed it up perfectly, stating he’s “saddened” by Bure’s decision to align with this network and its values. Many agree that Bure choosing to lead a network that only celebrates straight romance is fueling the narrative that LGBTQ+ storylines don’t have a place on TV.
Hallmark did not comment directly on GAF’s programming, but did have some words for WSJ: “We want all viewers to see themselves in our programming and everyone is welcome.” *Mic drop.*
