Candace Cameron responds to backlash over ‘traditional marriage’ Christmas movie controversy

Candace Cameron, who has absolutely never been silent about her anti-LGBTQ stance, faced major backlash this week for some choice comments she made in regard to her new Christmas programming. On Wednesday, the actress responded in a lengthy statement shared to her Instagram page.

People who have, unlike This Author, not followed the long trail of homophobic commentary of one Ms. Donna Jo Tanner, are now catching on to the fact that the “Fuller House” star uses Christianity as a shield for her prejudice. This isn’t due to some covert, undercover journalistic investigation but rather the very open, very loud, very proud comments made by Candace Cameron herself.

First things first: Free speech and believing whatever she wants to believe is her right—no one is denying her that. But what so, so, SO many people conveniently “forget” is that free speech does not absolve you from facing consequences. In Candace Cameron’s case, the consequences here include public shaming for her undeniable bigotry.

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Cameron, who left Hallmark after reigning as the network’s unofficial Queen of Christmas for several years once they decided to feature same-sex couples in their movies, is now at the holiday season helm of the Great American Family channel. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal this week, Cameron says that her new slew of Christmas movies won’t feature any LGBTQ+ love stories.

“No, I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core,” she responded, after being asked if same-sex couples would have lead roles in GAF’s upcoming movies.

As anyone with a solid I.Q. knows, “traditional”—at least when used in this familiar, tired context—is a dog whistle for “straight, cisgender and white.”

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While the chief executive of Great American Media, Bill Abbott, tells the WSJ that the network is “aware of the trends” in 2022, he also says “spiritual or faith-based content is grossly underserved” in Hollywood.

After her controversial Christmas comments were published, people everywhere—famous, not famous, etc.—expressed their disgust. And now Cameron has a statement of her own for everyone who was hurt or offended by her words. (Here are the Cliff Notes: She uses the word “Christian” and “love” over a dozen times but never once addresses or acknowledges the entire community of marginalized people she offended all in the name of “love.”)

“I would like to address my comments on Great American Family’s programming as reported in the Wall Street Journal,” she wrote in her post. “All of you who know me, know beyond question that I have great love and affection for all people. It absolutely breaks my heart that anyone would ever think I intentionally would want to offend and hurt anyone. It saddens me that the media is often seeking to divide us, even around a subject as comforting and merry as Christmas movies. But, given the toxic climate in our culture right now, I shouldn’t be surprised. We need Christmas more than ever.”

She defines herself as a “devoted Christian” whose comments reflect her religious beliefs while victimizing herself by placing blame at the “media” who merely reported her exact words. She also blames people for “attacking” her online and trying to “assassinate” her character—by, again, reporting her exact words.

Her comments about “traditional marriage” didn’t sit well with many, many people who expressed their hurt and anger at the dig toward the LGBTQ community. Actress Hilarie Burton cut right to the chase on Twitter:

“Being LGBTQ isn’t a ‘trend.’ That guy and his network are disgusting. You too Candy. There is nothing untraditional about same-sex couples,” she said. “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.”

Singer and dancer extraordinaire Jojo Siwa, who is openly gay and also had a little tiff with Cameron earlier this year, expressed her disappointment on Instagram.

“This is rude and hurtful to a whole community of people,” Siwa wrote.

Many people have taken to Twitter and TikTok to share their own opinions as well.

And here’s a quick refresher on Cameron’s stint on The View, where she defended a “Christian” bakery’s decision to not make a wedding cake for a gay couple way back in 2015:

If you’re feeling crummy about your favorite Full House star’s harmful views and public stance, please know that Jodie Sweetin regularly goes out of her way to demonstrate her inclusivity in total opposition of her longtime co-star. Stephanie Tanner commented on Jojo Siwa’s post about Cameron:

After Roe v. Wade was struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year, Sweetin took to the streets to protest for abortion rights as well.

So, in conclusion, there’s a lot to unpack here. But I’ll leave you with this: In a world FULL of Candace Camerons, be a Jodie Sweetin.