Several celebrities and a GLAAD spokesperson are criticizing Candace Cameron Bure for her recent comments on “traditional marriage,” while her daughter Natasha came to her defense.
Bure caused an uproar earlier this week following an interview with The Wall Street Journal about switching from The Hallmark Channel to Great American Family. The 46-year-old actress discussed how GAF is a better fit for her professionally.
“My heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them,” Bure told WSJ. “I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment.”
The comment that got everyone talking dealt with Bure’s take on which storylines will feature on GAF. When asked if there would be any LGBTQ storylines in those projects, she replied, “I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core.”
GAF chief executive Bill Abbott agreed, saying, “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.’”
Though neither one ruled out same-sex romance on GAF, their decision not to focus on those topics caused a media firestorm, with multiple stars and organizations weighing in on Bure’s statement.
“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,” pop star JoJo Siwa shared on Instagram.
Bure’s former “Full House” co-star Jodie Sweeten responded to Siwa’s post, saying, “You know I love you.”
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis also issued a statement reacting to Bure’s comments.
“It’s irresponsible and hurtful for Candace Cameron Bure to use tradition as a guise for exclusion,” Ellis said, per Deadline. “I’d love to have a conversation with Bure about my wife, our kids, and our family’s traditions. Bure is out of sync with a growing majority of people of faith, including LGBTQ people of faith, who know that LGBTQ couples and families are deserving of love and visibility.”
She called Bure’s comments “harmful and insulting to LGBTQ employees, as well as employees with LGBTQ friends and family.”
“One Tree Hill” actress Hilarie Burton Morgan lashed out as well. “Bigot,” she wrote on Twitter. “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.”
While many celebrities seemed horrified that the “Full House” actress would dare make traditional marriage a focus of upcoming Christmas movies, she did have one vocal supporter: her daughter. Natasha Bure shared an Instagram story Tuesday amid the backlash, which documented her “favorite thing[s]” about her mom.
“How much she loves Jesus and how firm in her faith she stands,” Natasha wrote. “She is bold. She is kind. She is so creative and has one of the greatest hearts. I look up to her in many, many ways. I love you, @candacebure,” she concluded.