Gay wedding cards from Hallmark: No rainbows please
Filed under: Sex Sells, Relationships
A friend is planning her wedding, and here in Portland with our DIY culture, we're not headed to the nearest Hallmark store for cards, preferring to make our own. And besides, Hallmark doesn't make cards to celebrate gay marriage, right?
As of this summer, wrong. Lots of my friends are driving down to California to take advantage of the availability of same-sex marriage licenses this season, and they'll be able to come back home to mailboxes flooded with Hallmark cards appropriate to the occasion -- after all, it's not just the "quirky" locals who need to congratulate the happy couples, but extended family and relatives living all over the country.
Is the standardization of congratulation cause for celebration in the gay community? Does having a Hallmark card for something legitimize it as worthy of taking its place in our culture's Roster of Emotionally Significant Events? I think the answer to these questions is yes, and of course, silly though it may be.
One thing though. Independent card maker Rob Fortier told the AP: "A lot of people think a gay greeting card needs a rainbow on it. I don't want that." An informal survey of a half-dozen gay friends, some of whom are soon to be married, agreed. Noted: no rainbows.
As of this summer, wrong. Lots of my friends are driving down to California to take advantage of the availability of same-sex marriage licenses this season, and they'll be able to come back home to mailboxes flooded with Hallmark cards appropriate to the occasion -- after all, it's not just the "quirky" locals who need to congratulate the happy couples, but extended family and relatives living all over the country.
Is the standardization of congratulation cause for celebration in the gay community? Does having a Hallmark card for something legitimize it as worthy of taking its place in our culture's Roster of Emotionally Significant Events? I think the answer to these questions is yes, and of course, silly though it may be.
One thing though. Independent card maker Rob Fortier told the AP: "A lot of people think a gay greeting card needs a rainbow on it. I don't want that." An informal survey of a half-dozen gay friends, some of whom are soon to be married, agreed. Noted: no rainbows.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-21-2008 @ 11:51PM
polo said...
It's amazing! Now even greeting cards are getting hate mail! The bigots react to everything.
Reply
8-22-2008 @ 12:16AM
toni said...
to each his [or her] own !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
8-22-2008 @ 9:22AM
Jean said...
And you all call yourselves "Christians." You are just a bunch of hypocrites! let God judge people, that's not your job! Take a moment from your narrow-minded life and read the Bible.
Reply
8-22-2008 @ 9:42AM
Dave said...
It's disgusting when bigots use the bible as a shield. You don't have to purchase the cards...common sense should tell you that. Hallmark made the right decision...they want their products to appeal to all consumers.
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8-22-2008 @ 9:49AM
Jesper, the Eurodude said...
"Ugh.. I hate how" brainwashed religious Americans will hold every single word of the Bible true, which suits their narrow-minded views.
Whereas on the other hand, "Thou shalt not kill" is conveniently forgotten if they're Texan... as is "You shall not commit adultery" [in particular] if they're from Utah... not to mention "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy" on their way to 7-11.
Also, these same people seem more than happy to denounce people of a Middle Eastern residence as people living in the past and following an outdated religious writ... if standards are good, double standards seem to be twice as good!!
In short: grow up people, and start considering why people in Europe scoff at the mention of American 'brilliance'
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8-22-2008 @ 9:56AM
Babs said...
Hallmark owns Dayspring which is a very religious card company and card line. You may have seen them listed under Christian Expressions and Bright Blessings. Hallmark still provides a greater selection of cards that are the top quality. I am a forever customer no matter what people like to twist into gossip. Cards are our social expression! Keep the peace and live long!
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8-22-2008 @ 9:57AM
Claudia said...
Why are people who don't approve of the homosexual lifestyle almost always discounted as bigots and hypocrites? That's as stupid and intolerant as automatically labelling anyone who supports the troop withdrawl in Iraq as being an unpatriotic terrorist supporter. I thought we were allowed to have differing opinions in this country without having our personal character maligned. As far as following Jesus, Christians are doing so by speaking and sharing the Gospel truth. Jesus showered his love on thieves, whores, and all sinners and then told them to "Go and sin no more." Not, "I love you and support your sinful, destructive lifestyle."
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8-22-2008 @ 3:34PM
kris said...
Well written, on the right track. Many so called christians & non, can over do or confuse real christianity & use of bible. Rather than HATE anyone, try not to. AND fact that bible is explicit that homosexuality is a sin, is written many places, clearly & alot about behaviors & why& how soddom & gomorra cities were destroyed big time. That is not made up or wrong for anyone to say that bible states it is a sin. Jesus loves & can forgive all. But people need to also stop their sin. Sinfulness is not encouraged, accepted, oh well do what you feel like doing at the moment. Sinful are murderers,adulterers,arrogant,not helping those in need,& more,including those with homosexuality embraced lifestyles. All need to read about homosexuality but those that heard bible says it's sin,that is true. Any abuse to others is a sin. We must continue to learn, try to do better,improve & ask forgiveness. Those opposed to thinking homosexuality PRACTICe is a sin need realize that others that do not believe it is are not necessarily solid, true christian or that christian means 100% sin free, 100% time. Some not christinas can believe this also. & if you think homo. lifestyle is good,normal others can still have differing beliefs. Those that hate others, does that follow with true brotherly love? with or without "christian" LABEL? I think that there are people that are or choose homo. behaviors. Their emotional identity w/parent at certain ages, in certain ways,acts of abuse at certain ages,can cause changes in self beliefs,emotional health in many ways, including influencing sexuality. Sense of humor, beliefs in work ethics or not, what skills are learned, learn logic or not, learn good housekeeping or cooking & eating skills or not. HOw to espress anger, temper, emotional health in many ways,personality. THere are those that were homo. & reformed & do believe in Jesus's demand,& God's laws. INcludinng not following homo. behaviors. SOme think it's cool,want to be part of "subculture" or rebel. Or taught it is good to be homosexual & not hetero sexual. Later may not feel homosexual anymore. Lots of possibilites. Heterosexuals that have had severe hurt by hetero.may switch to homo. after feel intense abandonment,hurt especially when assault to their desirability as a person. OR fits their social circle rather than definite NOT hetero anymore.Isn't it possible that feelings of homosexuality can be a result of many possiblities? When people have behaviors, ideas, feelings that are sinful they can be changed especially w/ help of God's love & forgiveness. And knowledge.THere are other"laws" true to all time. Because it is thousands of yrs old does that mean that it automatically not relevant? Seems to me that it stands to reason that it could be more relevant. KRis
8-22-2008 @ 10:01AM
Jesper, the Eurodude said...
Claudia:
People are - and here I am obviously only commenting as my own writings across the 'Net goes - labeled hypocrites, because (referring also to my post at #9) they will read the Holy Bible to the letter on some issues and be lenient on others.
This is not only against, as I see it, the spirit of Jesus himself; but a direct violation of both the second and eighth commandments...
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8-23-2008 @ 7:03AM
Christy said...
I am straight, but think every one has a right to be what they want. People look for things to complain about. Leave the gay alone.
Reply
8-24-2008 @ 6:19AM
Robguy said...
I'm just surprised it took Hallmark so long. Marriage has been available to all in MA for years and even in California they had a month between the ruling and when weddings started taking place. Even many anti-civil rights politicians have predicted that marriage equality is inevitable. Hallmark seems to have moved very slowly on this.
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8-24-2008 @ 11:47AM
Robguy said...
Oops, I guess they've had the cards since last year, they've just started making more.
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