GLAAD SCORES “TODAY” OVER WEDDING CONTEST

The gay-rights group GLAAD is mobilizing its followers to protest against an apparent decision by NBC’s Today show to exclude gay and lesbian couples from its “Modern Day Wedding Contest.” A Today show message posted on its Twitter page states: “Today is throwing a modern day wedding! Whether your love blossomed over the Internet or you met the old-fashioned way, we want to hear from You!” In a statement, GLAAD said that it “contacted the network last week to find out why its application listed only ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ as options for applicants since the Today Show welcomed same-sex couples to apply to its Hometown Wedding Contest in years past.” The group did not indicate whether NBC had responded. One of the requirements of the contest is that applicants be eligible “to be legally married in a wedding in New York, New York to be broadcast on television and organized by Today.” Same-sex marriage is currently not legal in either the state or city of New York.