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Story Updated : August 23, 2010 02:05:00 PM

Today Shuts Out Gay Couples


TODAYS WEDDINGS GLAAD X390 (GETTY IMAGES) | ADVOCATE.COM

Four couples have advanced to the finals and will compete in the Today Show’s Modern Love wedding competition — but none of them are gay.

Despite pressure last month from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to allow gay couples to compete, no gay or lesbian couples advanced to the top four. On Monday, Today cohost Ann Curry announced producers had received "hundreds of videos and applications.”

Originally, producers of the show prevented same-sex couples from entering because the state of New York does not have marriage equality. After meeting with GLAAD, producers opened the contest to gay and lesbian couples.

“GLAAD, along with thousands of community members and allies called on the Today Show to provide the same opportunities to celebrate our relationships,” GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said in a statement. “NBC and the Today Show listened, opening the Modern Day Wedding Contest to same-sex couples. While it is disappointing that there are no same-sex couples among the finalists this year, we know that as our community continues to be vocal and submit stories of our love and commitment, future contests will truly be ‘modern.’ Media have a responsibility to include LGBT people, and we will keep urging NBC and its news and entertainment programs to showcase the diversity of our community.”

Producers of the Today Show did advance and interview a gay couple, though they did not make the final four. Watch their entry video below.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Adam
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 9:17:20 PM
    Hometown: New York City

    Comment:

    Adorable as the boys are, I hardly think that the fact they didn't make the final four is proof of antigay discrimination. Four is a pretty small number, and the Today show can't be expected to represent everyone. Who knows how many other terrific couples, straight or gay, didn't make the cut? To insist that the contest be open was correct; but to insist that there be gay finalists is tokenism, not equality. (And note to Ed Knonenwetter below: "none" can also be plural, and in fact is often better that way. If you're going to be a grammar snoot, try to be right.)

  • Name: Richard T
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 4:03:52 PM
    Hometown: New York City

    Comment:

    With NBC's track record, should we be surprised? I think not...I think that the answer is BOYCOTT. Don't watch NBC and do not patronize any of their advertisers. Hit 'em where it hurts and watch cable instead!

  • Name: Bruce from WeHo
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 2:47:36 PM
    Hometown: West Hollywood

    Comment:

    BASTARDS!!!! They think they can throw us a bone and were supposed to be grateful. They think they can let us "compete" and be satisfied. They should give the award to a gay couple, even if they don't deserve it. ESPECIALLY if they don't deserve it. HOMOPHOBES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Name: Ed Kronenwetter
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 2:36:43 PM
    Hometown: Maui

    Comment:

    None of them IS gay......"none" is SINGULAR!!

  • Name: David
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 1:09:05 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    Is anyone suprised about this. My partner and myself have been together 25 years. My parents divorece after 6 years both Remarried two more times my brother and sister married and divorce after only a couple of years both working on spouce number 2 and 3 but they can enter the contest.

  • Name: Tony Myers
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 12:50:46 PM
    Hometown: NYC

    Comment:

    I stopped watching that show a few years ago. They are soooo not relevant, nonetheless, its inability to take Marriage Equality seriously is disappointing.

  • Name: Tyler
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 12:39:28 PM
    Hometown: San Luis Obispo

    Comment:

    Is anyone truly surprised by this. They knew what they were going to do. Let them compete to keep Glaad happy, but just don't let them win. Not for any reason except their original reason which was that Gays can't get married in the state the contest was running in.

  • Name: john peters
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 11:38:03 AM
    Hometown: bloomingburg ny

    Comment:

    this does not surprise me..nbc is pro rep...and thinks bushes daughter is a good news reporter...i do not watch anything on nbc since they would not allow allan lambert on the today show..

  • Name: Saul
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 9:06:16 AM
    Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

    Comment:

    We can't go around demanding quotas in order to advance an agenda. Perhaps none of the gay couples met whatever criteria they had. Not everything has to be negative.

  • Name: Jim Stone
    Date posted: 8/24/2010 1:46:29 AM
    Hometown: Ohio

    Comment:

    These guys are soo cute. I hope they go to CT. .. where marriage is legal and take their friends and family. NY recognizes out of state marriage. I wish we could do the same. been together 19 years but here in Ohio we have nothing...

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