“One Tree Hill” actress Hilarie Burton Morgan lashed out at “Fuller House” star Candace Cameron Bure, calling her a bigot for supporting traditional marriage in both her work with the Great American Family network and her personal beliefs as a Christian.
Burton Morgan was responding to a recent interview in which Cameron Bure discussed the fact that Great American Family would continue to feature traditional marriages while her former network, The Hallmark Channel, began to embrace more LGBTQ relationships and storylines.
“My heart wants to tell stories that have more meaning and purpose and depth behind them. 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,” Cameron Bure said, adding, “I think that Great American Family will keep traditional marriage at the core.”
“Bigot,” was Burton Morgan’s response on Twitter. “I don’t remember Jesus liking hypocrites like Candy. But sure. Make your money, honey. You ride that prejudice wave all the way to the bank.”
Bigot.
I don’t remember Jesus liking hypocrites like Candy.
But sure. Make your money, honey. You ride that prejudice wave all the way to the bank. https://t.co/X70aO4WIcB
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) November 15, 2022
Great American Family CEO Bill Abbott — who helmed The Hallmark Channel’s Crown Media Network until 2020 — seemed to be on the same page as Cameron Bure, saying, “It’s certainly the year 2022, so we’re aware of the trends. There’s no whiteboard that says, ‘Yes, this’ or ‘No, we’ll never go here.’”
Burton Morgan also took aim at Abbott in a tweet, adding, “Now they’re just openly admitting their bigotry. I called this s**t out years ago when Abbott was at Hallmark. Glad they dumped him. Being LGBTQ isn’t a ‘trend.’ That guy and his network are disgusting. You too Candy. There is nothing untraditional about same-sex couples.”
Now they’re just openly admitting their bigotry.
I called this shit out years ago when Abbott was at Hallmark. Glad they dumped him.
Being LGBTQ isn’t a “trend”.
That guy and his network are disgusting. You too Candy. There is nothing untraditional about same-sex couples. https://t.co/38XIg5XeMP
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) November 14, 2022
Burton Morgan, who also previously appeared on The Hallmark Channel, explained in 2019 that she left the network after her requests for more diverse casting – including interracial and same-sex couples — were turned down by executives.
“I had insisted on a LGBTQ character, an interracial couple and diverse casting. I was polite, direct and professional. But after the execs gave their notes on the script and NONE of my requests were honored, I was told ‘take it or leave it,’” she said. “I left it. And the paycheck. S***ty being penalized for standing up for inclusivity. I really wanted that job.”
Requests were honored, I was told “take it or leave it”.
I left it. And the paycheck. Shitty being penalized for standing up for inclusivity. I really wanted that job. It was close to my house. It paid really well. It was about the military, which you all know I hold dear. But?
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) December 15, 2019
Burton Morgan went on to say that she’d make the same decision again “in a heartbeat” and claimed that “the bigotry comes from the top.”
Key point here: I have a wonderful husband @JDMorgan who works his ass off so I have the luxury to choose morals over paying bills. Not everyone has that! Nor should we be forced to be dependent. If I had to cover our mortgage and was told “take it or leave it”, I’d be fucked.
— Hilarie Burton Morgan (@HilarieBurton) December 15, 2019
