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It turns out Great American Family Channel (GAF) is capable of apologizing.
The self-described conservative—read Evangelical Christian version—alternative to the Hallmark Channel focuses on "traditional marriages" and traditional families. Hallmark received backlash from the Evangelical Christian community after they pledged to address the lack of racial diversity and no LGBTQ+ representation on their network.
Once the sweetheart of the Hallmark Channel, Candace Cameron Bure exited to create GAF with former Hallmark head Bill Abbott when the network announced interracial, minority lead and LGBTQ+ characters would be added to their oft-criticized almost exclusively White, all heteronormative lineup.
GAF failed to apologize for homophobic remarks made by Bure to the Wall Street Journalwhile hyping their new network. Bure later claimed her word-for-word comments were taken out of context and blamed the media for the backlash.
Great American Family did, however, apologize for an HIV drug ad and ads for RuPaul's Drag Race airing on their channel.
In an Instagram comment posted by user straighttalkwithmj, the channel was asked:
"Love the movies!"
"But have you removed the very non-family friendly aids drug ad with 2 men kissing?"
In response, Great American Family issued an apology.
"Unfortunately, we don't have any control over local commercials, and we sincerely apologize.'
@gactv/Instagram
They *sincerely* apologize.
GAF also received multiple anti-LGBTQ+ comments on its Facebook page.
According to The Advocate:
"One commenter asked why [GAF] was allowing commercials for RuPaul’s Drag Race to air as early as 6 p.m."
“'We’re trying to escape that mess,' wrote the commenter. Great American Family responded that it has no control over local commercials."
"Another commenter asked who does have control."
"'We have been subject to this perverted immoral commercials on what is supposed to be a family friendly channel,' he wrote (his original wording). Great American Family told him to contact his local cable provider."
Pose and American Horror Story actor Alexandra Billings—who is transgender and living with HIV—posted a screenshot of the apology to her Instagram along with a note penned to GAF which uses @gactv on Instagram.
You can see her Instagram post here:
She wrote:
"I have been living with HIV for over thirty years now. I buried most of my friends in my twenties and I live with an illness that gets more and more difficult to manage and navigate with each passing year."
"The stigma of this disease is alive and well, as long as there are humans who attempt to pass off misinformation, fear or ignorance as normal conversation and acceptable social behavior."
Billings went on to share her personal experience—losing her best friend to the disease, not having treatments, the unknown and even funeral homes refusing to "put [them] in the ground" because they were terrified.
She continued:
"I'm not assigning blame. And I'm not trying to suggest this is all of who you are."
"Your channel professes love, tolerance, and family and I simply don't see any of those attributes in your response to this viewer."
Billings finished:
"I only hope this holiday brings everyone at your channel clarity of heart."
"And that as you continue to tell stories about love and tolerance, and the American family, that you allow everyone in to that divine space... and not just the humans you believe deserve to be there."
"Happy holidays and may everyone in your family find inclusion and grace and, moreover, be both safe and healthy..."
Many shared their support of Billings and her message.
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
@therealalexandrabillings/Instagram
The Advocatereached out to Great American Family for comment but have yet to receive a response.