Actress Hilarie Burton accused Hallmark Channel of not honoring her contract demands for inclusivity.
The 37-year-old television and film star called out the network on Sunday claiming she was “let go” following requests for “a LGBTQ character, an interracial couple and diverse casting” in her contract.
“I was polite, direct and professional,” Burton claimed in a series of tweets, adding that her requests were refused and she was told, “take it or leave it.”
Just going through some old emails from a #Hallmark job I was “let go” from back in January. I had insisted on a LGBTQ character, an interracial couple and diverse casting. I was polite, direct and professional. But after the execs gave their notes on the script and NONE of my
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) December 15, 2019
Requests were honored, I was told “take it or leave it”.
I left it. And the paycheck. Shitty being penalized for standing up for inclusivity. I really wanted that job. It was close to my house. It paid really well. It was about the military, which you all know I hold dear. But?— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) December 15, 2019
The wife of “The Walking Dead” star Jeffrey Dean Morgan added that “the bigotry comes from the top and permeates the whole deal over there” at Hallmark and reiterated that she was “loudly cheering for @lifetimetv all year because they heard my concerns + RALLIED!”
Id walk away again in a heartbeat. The bigotry comes from the top and permeates the whole deal over there. I’ve been loudly cheering for @lifetimetv all year because they heard my concerns + RALLIED! You want inclusive Christmas magic?! We got it.
Love is love?️??? #receipts— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) December 15, 2019
Burton’s remarks were posted after Hallmark came under fire for pulling, then reinstating, an advertisement that featured a wedding scene with a same-sex couple kissing.
Conservative group One Million Moms and others targeted the network with complaints for airing the ad, and launched a petition to urge Hallmark to drop LGBTQ content. But the left, with celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, William Shatner, and comedian Sandra Bernhard bashed the network which was even mocked in a Saturday Night Live skit over the weekend.
Hallmark flip-flops on lesbian brides kissing commercial after ‘agonizing’ over backlash https://t.co/EZSCRGhAXV
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) December 16, 2019
“Earlier this week, a decision was made at Crown Media Family Networks to remove commercials featuring a same-sex couple. The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we’ve seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused,” Hallmark CEO Mike Perry said in a statement on Sunday. “Said simply, they believe this was the wrong decision. Our mission is rooted in helping all people connect, celebrate traditions, and be inspired to capture meaningful moments in their lives. Anything that detracts for this purpose is not who we are. As the CEO of Hallmark, I am sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused.”
Meanwhile, Burton noted that her ability to “choose morals over paying bills” in turning down the Hallmark job was a privilege not everyone could afford.
Key point here: I have a wonderful husband @JDMorgan who works his ass off so I have the luxury to choose morals over paying bills. Not everyone has that! Nor should we be forced to be dependent. If I had to cover our mortgage and was told “take it or leave it”, I’d be fucked.
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) December 15, 2019
The husband of the “One Tree Hill” star summarily dismissed the Hallmark Channel, and its millions of viewers, in a response to his wife.
One, I do love you in an elf costume. Two, and most importantly… @Hallmark and @hallmarkchannel ?? Gross. No other words needed. #loveislove
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) December 15, 2019
Can we just have a channel we can watch with children that we do to have to explain so much. It is ok if someone does not want to see same sex couples making out. I don’t like to see opposite sex making out in TV with my kids. If same sex couples are offended don’t watch it.
— TheresaKimballTaylor (@theresataylor52) December 16, 2019
It was #Hallmark’s movie, NOT yours. You gave your demands, they gave you a choice. You chose. Good riddance, @HilarieBurton.
— Unknown Conservative (@UnknownConserv2) December 16, 2019
I’m glad they told you to take it or leave it. It’s their channel, not some gender trending bullshit that most of us can’t stand anymore.
— JC (@Luopo49) December 16, 2019
Hypocrisy! You would be extremely Butt Hurt if I tried to force my beliefs on you! So, why is it ok for you to force your opinion of being gay and wanting interracial relationships on me? When did it become ok for an employee to make demands on employers? Give me a break!
— Dan Shawver (@dshawver1986) December 16, 2019
ENTERTAINMENT has been made “inclusive” WAY MORE than the number of LGBTQ people in our society. YOU ALREADY have what you want. OR do you insist that 100% of entertainment shows have LGBTQ characters? 100%? Will you be happy then? Somehow I doubt it.
— wokenraven (@wokenraven) December 16, 2019
Sorry, your morals aren’t in line with the people watching that channel. The alphabet people don’t have to inundate every show on TV.
— Kris (@Hightxplainsman) December 16, 2019
I guess you don’t seem to understand that you don’t have the right to force that shit down other peoples throats I hope you never work again
— alan harig (@ssgharig) December 16, 2019
What you were really doing is promoting discrimination against people who are not members of the LGBT community. And discriminating against people who are not in interracial relationships. Your supposed to hire the best person. Not the proper color or sexual orientation.
— Brad hampton (@BradHampton) December 16, 2019
God forbid the people who wrote the script and the company putting up the money to make the show actually be allowed to make casting decisions, they must be bigots since they didn’t cave to your demands…. omg, get over yourself and your political correctness
— pgwillin (@pgwillin65) December 16, 2019
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- ‘Are we next?!’ Kilmeade breaks down shady FBI actions, concludes Trump justified in his outrage - August 30, 2022
- Grandfather throws down with aggressive kangaroo that attacked his dogs, but who really won? - June 4, 2022
- ‘My name is Dr. Robinson’: Proud abortionist snaps at Chip Roy calling her ‘Miss’ during hearing - May 19, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
