Gay couples will be allowed to enter the "Today Show's" "Modern Day Weddings" contest after an advocacy group launched a "call to action" that resulted in NBC being inundated with thousands of letters.
Winners of the contest will get an all-expenses paid wedding broadcast live on the "Today Show."
The contest was originally closed to gay couples; NBC's reasoning was that "the couple must be able to be legally married in New York, which is where the wedding will take place."
Gay weddings aren't legal in New York, but the state recognizes marriage licenses given to same-sex couples in other jurisdictions. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation argued that NBC could easily have a wedding celebration on the "Today Show" for a gay couple who obtained their license elsewhere.
NBC execs met with GLAAD representatives on Thursday and the network agreed to let gay couples apply to win a "Today Show" wedding. GLAAD president Jarett Barrios cheered NBC for changing the contest rules.
"NBC heard GLAAD and the thousands of viewers who contacted them. And they have moved to make their contest a truly modern wedding where any couple can share their story," Barrios said.
Hopefuls of any sexual orientation can now apply to the "Modern Day Weddings" contest until July 12.
