This is a nice example of progress the American way - through the marketplace. Hallmark has a launched a new line of greeting cards designed to celebrate same-sex weddings. (The language inside will be neutral enough so that they can also be used for commitment ceremonies).In addition to a card with two tuxedos on the cover, which I think is adorable, they also have ones that say "Partners in live and love," and "Two hearts. One promise." I pride myself on picking the perfect greeting card, so I can't wait until I have an occasion to send one!
The company added the cards after California joined Massachusetts as the only two states to permit gay marriage. "It's our goal to be as relevant as possible to as many people as we can," Hallmark spokeswoman Sarah Gronberg Kolell said.
The company said it made the move in response to consumer demand. The cards are being rolled out gradually this summer and will be widely available next year.
Of course, the bigots have already launched a boycott. No surprise there. In response, I will now be buying Hallmark products whenever I can, to show my support for the company. Maybe I can send someone there a thank-you card? Update: the blog Down with Tyranny suggests doing exactly that. (Just for good measure, you can buy a box of Crayola crayons, also owned by Hallmark, and use them to inscribe the card!) Here's the address:
Donald J. Hall, Chairman
Hallmark Cards Inc.
2501 McGee Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64108
And here are some fun facts about Hallmark:
In 1917, company founder Joyce C. Hall and his brother, Rollie, invented modern wrapping paper when they ran out of colored tissue paper.
The Hallmark name refers to a symbol used by goldsmiths in London in the 14th century.
The slogan "When you care enough to send the very best," adopted in 1944, was created by a salesman who scribbled it on a cocktail napkin, which is now on display at company headquarters in Kansas City, Mo.
4 comments:
Yay! I wondered when this would come to pass.
My husband said the other day he was at the store and saw Ellen D's wedding on the cover of People Magazine. He had the kids with him and didn't stop to read the article in question, but he said the cover looked just like the cover for any other major celebrity wedding, and I think that just rocks! If not in reality (who knows what the article in question actually SAID), at least in idea. :)
I saw People magazine in the supermarket, too! It was pretty cool to see Ellen and Portia on the cover, looking very happy. Maybe I can send them a card! ;-)
This warmed my heart! Like I said, it makes me proud to be a HMK writer :)
Awww, that's great! Too often, it's the haters who make the loudest noise and get the most attention. So it's important that those of us who feel differently are just as vocal with our support when a company makes a move to be more inclusive of all Americans. I bought a thank-you card this afternoon to send to Mr. Hall!
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