Shuts Out Gay Couples

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.