Hallmark Channel Issues Apology & Vows to 'Reinstate' Same-Sex Wedding Commercials After Backlash

After facing some serious backlash, the Hallmark Channel has decided to change their decision and put up the commercials of the brides kissing again.

Mike Perry, President and CEO, Hallmark Cards, Inc., released a statement on Sunday night (December 15) apologizing for the “hurt and disappointment” they caused after pulling the Zola commercial of a same-sex couple kissing.

“The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we’ve seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused. Said simply, they believe this was the wrong decision,” the statement reads, via People. “Our mission is rooted in helping all people connect, celebrate traditions, and be inspired to capture meaningful moments in their lives. Anything that detracts from this purpose is not who we are. We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused.”

Hallmark originally pulled the commercials after conservative group One Million Moms slammed the channel for pushing the “LGBT agenda” on viewers.

The channel then faced serious backlash for pulling the commercial, especially from GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, who called the decision “discriminatory” and “hypocritical.”

In their apology, Hallmark says they will be working with GLAAD to “better represent the LGBTQ community across our portfolio of brands.”

Before the release of Hallmark’s apology, Mike Chi, the chief marketing officer of Zola told the New York Times that the company will “no longer be advertising on Hallmark.”

Continued in their statement, Hallmark said they “will be reaching out to Zola to reestablish our partnership and reinstate the commercials.”

“Across our brand, we will continue to look for ways to be more inclusive and celebrate our differences,” the statement concluded.

READ MORE: Hilarie Burton Turned Down Hallmark Project After She Says They Denied Diverse Casting Request