November 1, 2013 | Sex & Society

Dropping 'gay' gets Hallmark into trouble

Hallmark is being criticised over one of its new Keepsake Christmas ornaments.

The Kansas City-based company created a 'tacky' Christmas sweater bauble, adding the words “Don we now our FUN apparel!” Of course, anyone who knows their Christmas carols will tell you the line should read: "Don we now our GAY apparel!" When asked, Hallmark said that it dropped "gay'" because the word was “open to misinterpretation.”

“When the lyrics to ‘Deck the Halls’ were translated from Gaelic and published in English back in the 1800s, the word ‘gay’ meant festive or merry," the company explained. "Today it has multiple meanings, which we thought could leave our intent open to misinterpretation.”

CNN anchor Carol Costello wasn't impressed. “Oh Hallmark. You didn’t. Oh wait, you did,” she posted on Facebook. “Homophobic? I say, yes you are.”

Yesterday, Hallmark apologized.

“We’ve been surprised at the wide range of reactions expressed about the change of lyrics on this ornament, and we’re sorry to have caused so much concern,” the company said in a statement. “We never intend to offend or make political statements with our products, and in hindsight, we realize we shouldn’t have changed the lyrics on the ornament.”

You just can't mess with the classics! 

CNN Anchor Goes After ‘Homophobic’ Hallmark for Removing ‘Gay’ From Christmas Ornament [Mediaite]

Hallmark regrets nixing 'gay' from Christmas carol [KCTV]