Two Day Magazine

You know things are really starting to change when major networks begin to adapt their programming content to fit the needs of their viewers. On Thursday, NBC’s ‘Today’ show met with gay and lesbian activists and have decided to change their rules for their annual wedding contest. The new rules will permit same-sex couples to audition for a dream wedding bash blow-out!

How does the contest work? The ‘Today’ show viewers choose every piece of the wedding puzzle, from the cake to the clothes and even where the lucky couple gets to honeymoon! NBC picks four couples from around the country out of thousands of applicants and the viewers vote on which of those couples get their dream wedding!

“We’re thrilled that ‘Today’ show’s ‘Modern Wedding Contest’ now recognizes what most fair-minded Americans have already concluded--a wedding celebrates love and commitment, whether the spouses are straight or gay,” said Jarret Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

GLAAD had only learned last week that same-sex couples were excluded from the contest and encouraged members to make their voices heard to NBC. Thousands took up the call to action!

To prove that your voice DOES make a difference, NBC credited their decision to listening to voicemails and emails which protested their stance on same-sex couples. The show considers relations with the gay and lesbian community very important, NBC released in a statement.

“Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive to all couples,” states NBC.

Even though New York state does not allow same-sex couples to have a wedding license (yet!) GLAAD argued that same-sex couples would be able to participate in the wedding ceremony in New York because New York recognizes sam-sex marriages licensed in other states. (Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Washington D.C. all recognize same-sex marriages.)

Now, I know some people out there think that NBC is merely doing this because they don’t want to lose support from viewers in the gay and lesbian community and that this is all about ratings and money. While I do agree with that to an extent, think of the risk that NBC took to expand their pool of contestants.Many people will be angry that NBC is allowing same-sex partners to join in on the fun and may decide to not watch NBC. I give NBC credit for pushing forward into this new era of acceptance and tolerance.

After all, weddings are a time of joy and celebrations. They are a time when people come together and unify themselves through love. Who could possibly be against that? What are your thoughts? Do you think NBC did the right thing in becoming more inclusive?