ISSUES: “The Today Show” changes course, will allow same-sex couples in “Modern Day Wedding Contest”

This is an outstanding example of why it’s so important for LGBT people and their straight allies to speak out against inequality at every turn: NBC’s Today Show said earlier Thursday that it will open up its wedding contest to same-sex couples after initially not allowing them.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has released this statement from President Jarrett Barrios:

During a meeting between GLAAD and NBC executives, NBC announced that after listening to community concerns it will open the contest to same-sex couples and extend the submission deadline until Monday, July 12. Couples now have until then to apply. Finalists will be announced later this year and the wedding takes place live on the Today Show this October.

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. NBC heard the thousands of viewers who contacted them and they have moved to make their contest a truly modern wedding where any couple can share their story. NBC is living up to its own high standard of fairness and for this, we applaud them. We encourage qualified same-sex couples to submit their applications before Monday, July 12 and we look forward to next year when same-sex couples will have the ability to apply to the contest from the beginning.

Thanks to the thousands of people who sent emails to the Today Show, blogged about it, and shared the Call to Action on Twitter and Facebook. We could not have done it without you!