Neal Bledsoe walks away from Great American Family after Candace Cameron Bure's 'traditional marriage' comments
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Great American Family' star Neal Bledsoe announced his exit from the network in a long statement voicing support for the LGBTQIA+ community following Candace Cameron Bure’s controversial comments about “traditional marriage.”
The 41-year-old, who starred in the 2021 holiday movie 'The Winter Palace' and this year's 'Christmas at the Drive-In' for Great American Family network, explained to Variety that his life wouldn’t have been the same without the guidance of the LGBTQ community. “My life wouldn’t be where it is today without the love, support, and guidance of the LGBTQIA+ community,” he told the outlet on Monday, December 05. “From my mentors in college to the myriad of agents and managers, writers and directors, teachers and colleagues, and, of course, my dear friends and family, who have all touched my life, I owe them a great debt.”
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"As an artist, I yearn to be proud of the work I create. But, the thought that my work could be used to deliberately discriminate against anyone horrifies and infuriates me," he continued. I hope GAF will change, but until everyone can be represented in their films with pride, my choice is clear. I look forward to working with creators who put no limits on the stories we tell and follow through on their message of values with open arms."
The announcement from the actor who starred in 'A Soldier's Revenge' came after GAF’s Chief Creative Officer Candace Cameron Bure said that the Great American Network would strive to "keep traditional marriage at the core."
“I knew that the people behind Great American Family were Christians that love the Lord and wanted to promote faith programming and good family entertainment. I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core,” the 46-year-old actress told The Wall Street Journal in an interview published on November 14, implying the channel would be free of LGBTQ content. Her comments were met with wide criticism from many across the entertainment industry, including JoJo Siwa, Hilarie Burton, Jonathan Bennett, and even Cameron Bure's former 'Full House' co-star Jodie Sweetin.
Referring to Bure’s statement, Bledsoe explained why he hadn't been promoting 'Christmas at the Drive-In,' which has him starring opposite Danica McKellar. "You may have noticed that I have been unusually silent at a time when I should have been promoting a holiday film, a film with the express purpose of bringing everyone comfort in a time of great tumult and change, but I cannot continue with business as usual," he noted in his statement. "I cannot take comfort from, nor will I give refuge to, those who excuse exclusion and promote division in any way, shape, or form, everyone is entitled to their beliefs, and these are mine: The recent comments made by leadership at Great American Family are hurtful, wrong, and reflect an ideology that prioritizes judgment over love. The star concluded his statement by saying that he will keep working for the community and will make a donation to the LGBTQ youth homelessness nonprofit organization True Colors United.