![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/GAY.jpeg\" "\\"GAY\\"\/")
<\/div>\nThe chief executive of Hallmark Cards has apologised for its decision to withdraw television advertisements featuring same-sex couples.<\/p>\n
The company\u2019s cable network pulled the ads for wedding registry and planning site Zola under pressure from the conservative group One Million Moms.<\/p>\n
The decision drew criticism on social media and calls for a boycott.<\/p>\n
Hallmark said it would reinstate the adverts and attempt to re-establish its partnership with Zola.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused,\u201d Hallmark\u2019s president and chief executive Mike Perry said.<\/p>\n
In a statement posted to its website, Hallmark said it would \u201cbe working with [advocacy group] Glaad to better represent the LGBTQ community across our portfolio of brands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Social media backlash<\/h2>\n
The original decision to withdraw the adverts drew criticism from a number of high-profile gay figures, including Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.<\/p>\n
The Netflix US Twitter account also criticised the decision, as did California Governor Gavin Newsom.<\/p>\n
The #BoycottHallmarkChannel hashtag, which was launched by Glaad, featured in over 16,000 tweets as of Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Saturday Night Live performed a skit which mocked Hallmark\u2019s decision, concluding with the line: \u201cThis is Emily Cringle for Hallmark, reminding you to stay straight out there.\u201d<\/p>\n The original decision to withdraw the advert was prompted by complaints from a conservative activist group.<\/p>\n One Million Moms is an online project of the American Family Association, which is a long-time opponent of gay rights.<\/p>\n One Million Moms said it had personally spoken to Bill Abbott, who\u2019s the chief executive of Hallmark\u2019s parent company Crown Family Networks.<\/p>\n According to the site, Mr Abbott told them Hallmark had withdrawn the commercial and the advertisement aired in error.<\/p>\n Crown Media notified Zola that four of its ads would no longer be airing, with the explanation that Crown Media is \u201cnot allowed to accept creatives that are deemed controversial\u201d.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Source: BBC<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n![\"Hallmark](\"https:\/\/ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/_110158138_gettyimages-52175756.jpg\")
Image copyright<\/span>GETTY IMAGES<\/span><\/span><\/figure>\nOne Million Moms<\/h2>\n