Candace Cameron Bure is coming under fire after making a controversial comment about seemingly excluding same-sex love stories from her Great American Family (GAF) network. The Fuller House actress, 46, sat down for an interview with The Wall Street Journal that was published Monday, and she explained that the network (which she serves as the chief creative officer for) will not feature same-sex couples in its Christmas movies.
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Candace Cameron Bure’s Controversial “Traditional Marriage” Comment
When asked about the subject, the former View co-host said, “I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core.” In the days since, Cameron Bure has been called out by fans who identify as members of the LGBT community, fellow actors, and even a former Full House co-star.
While Cameron Bure seemed to have a clearer answer as to whether LGBT fans can expect to see same-sex couples and queer characters in the network’s content, Bill Abbott, the former Hallmark Channel CEO (who now runs GAF), added, “It’s certainly the year 2022, so we’re aware of the trends. There’s no whiteboard that says, ‘Yes, this’ or ‘No, we’ll never go here.'”
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Fans & Fellow Stars Speak Out Against Cameron Bure’s Comment
Internet sensation and Dance Moms alum JoJo Siwa notably criticized Cameron Bure’s “traditional marriage” comment in an Instagram post for her 11.6 million followers, garnering thousands of likes and comments of support. Siwa, 19, who identifies as queer, uploaded a screenshot of a headline that read, “Candace Cameron Bure’s plans for new cable channel: No gays.”
Siwa (who engaged in a public back and forth with Bure several months back) wrote in her caption, “honestly, I can’t believe after everything that went down just a few months ago, that she would not only create a movie with intention of excluding LGBTQIA+, but then also talk about it in the press. This is rude and hurtful to a whole community of people.”
Siwa’s famous friends commented under her post to show their support, including Bure’s former Full House co-star Jodie Sweetin, who wrote, “You know I love you” with two red hearts and Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman, who commented applauding emojis. While many fans agreed with Siwa’s sentiment, others defended Bure, leaving the dancer’s post’s comment section divided.
Bigot.
I don’t remember Jesus liking hypocrites like Candy.
But sure. Make your money, honey. You ride that prejudice wave all the way to the bank. https://t.co/X70aO4WIcB— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) November 15, 2022
Back in July, fans will recall that Siwa made a viral TikTok video in which she dubbed Cameron Bure to be the “rudest celebrity” she had ever met. Soon after, she and Cameron Bure appeared to make up while meeting again on The Kelly Clarkson Show. At the time, Cameron Bure wrote on Instagram that she and Siwa were “all good.”
This week, Siwa was also joined by One Tree Hill actress Hilarie Burton in slamming Cameron Bure and Abbott for “bigotry.” Burton tweeted, “That guy and his network are disgusting. You too Candy. There is nothing untraditional about same-sex couples.”
Candace Cameron Bure responds to criticism from JoJo Siwa and others over her “traditional marriage” comment: “It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone.” https://t.co/k9Iyp6uIat pic.twitter.com/nNLH3fTSWf
— CNN (@CNN) November 17, 2022
Cameron Bure’s Latest Statement In Response
Following the controversy surrounding her words, Cameron Bure made a statement to CNN responding to fans who felt upset by her “traditional marriage” comment. “All of you who know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people,” her statement read in part. “It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone.” She then added that people of all “identities” will contribute at Great American Family, both on screen and off.
“I have long wanted to find a home for more faith-based programming. I am grateful to be an integral part of a young and growing network,” she continued in her statement. “I had also expressed in my interview, which was not included, that people of all ethnicities and identities have and will continue to contribute to the network in great ways both in front of and behind the camera, which I encourage and fully support. I’ve never been interested in proselytizing through my storytelling, but in celebrating God’s greatness in our lives through the stories I tell.”
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The actress also shared another message to fans via her Instagram, as seen above.
