A conservative group faced backlash on Twitter after it claimed the same-sex kiss televised live from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York had broken the innocence of “millions of small children.”
ForAmerica ― whose mission is to “reinvigorate the public with the principles of American exceptionalism: freedom, prosperity and virtue” — accused Macy’s and NBC of blindsiding parents Thursday by airing the kiss between actresses Caitlin Kinnunen and Isabelle McCalla during a rendition of musical “The Prom.”
The group also accused the network and department store of trying to “push their agenda on little kids.”
Millions of small children just watched two girls kiss and had their innocence broken this morning. @nbc and @Macys just blindsided parents who expected this to be a family program, so they could push their agenda on little kids. #macysthanksgivingdayparade #MacysDayParade pic.twitter.com/EmCLSfNmAj
— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) November 22, 2018
In response, many tweeters noted that “love is love” and not “a political agenda.” “It was a family program. Not all families look the same. It’s good that all children see that,” wrote one. “Love is a family program,” added another.
Others claimed the innocence of American children had been more likely taken by the country’s gun violence epidemic and mass shootings:
It was a family program. Not all families look the same. It’s good that all children see that.
— Natalie Sutherland (@NatalieSuther20) November 22, 2018
Love is a family program.
— Lori-Ann deChavitano (@la_de_Cha) November 22, 2018
love isn't a political agenda. love is love
— 𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 (@harvcykinkle) November 22, 2018
If any child had their innocence broken by this, it’s only because their awful parents have already taught them to hate gay people
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) November 23, 2018
Hi from the UK! FYI my 2 year old son's best friend is a little girl. That little girl has 2 mums (yes i said mums and not moms). My 2 year old has no issue with this. Get a grip. More pressing issues in the world than a same sex couple kissing on tv
— Aydenn Wardle (@ManCalledWardle) November 23, 2018
Hahahaha...man..as soon as I saw that I knew some hateful people were gonna be big mad😂 get over it. My 4 year old saw it and didn't say anything
— Erica Albert (@ealbert1234) November 22, 2018
If you need a warning about a parade, you need to look at your life and also never leave your house 🙄😂
Had their innocence broken? Really? Events in America would be the reason for that, rather than a lovely kiss. Get your priorities right people. It is 20gayteen after all
— Linn gould (@LinnLinnjgould) November 23, 2018
Kids are shot in American schools on the regular & we continue to do nothing about it. You want to preserve their innocence? Let's maybe worry about that & not expressions of love.
— Ali Young 🏳️🌈 (@mustang_ali2) November 23, 2018
We shot the innocence out of all the kids in the US already, its fine.
— andy 🙃🎮 (@Andy_Benandy) November 23, 2018
This country averages one mass shooting a day. Given the choice between women kissing and people dying, I’ll take the former.
— Kat With a K 🦃🥧 (@Ms_Kat_L) November 22, 2018
All those millions of small children wouldn’t see a single thing wrong on that screen, until their parents start telling them they should be seeing otherwise. Teaching your child to judge, demean and hate other people is the ONLY problem here!
— Claire Abbott (@clairington) November 23, 2018
The horror. Two people exercising legally protected freedom. If only there was an organization looking to reinvigorate freedom to defend them from bigoted harassment. pic.twitter.com/L5jGJfDqqW
— Professor Harbinger (@profharbinger) November 23, 2018
This *is* what my family looks like and I’m happy to see it represented. Thank you, @Macys & @nbc for ignoring bigots like @ForAmerica and showing an America with love for everyone.
— David Slack (@slack2thefuture) November 23, 2018
You👏Are👏The👏Problem👏
— Christine People's E4L Choice (@tacocarebear) November 23, 2018
Thank you @Macys @nbc for showing the world love is love.
— Talia Lavin (@chick_in_kiev) November 23, 2018
How about you think about all the people who couldn't go home to their families today because they have been disowned and shamed for who they love and who they are. Think of all the people on the streets as a result. Explaining to kids that everyone should be loved isn't hard
— Caitríona O Connell (@Caitriona100) November 22, 2018
That kiss was absolutely innocent and lovely. Nothing to hide
— Happy hALLYdays 👸🏼 (@allyobrien) November 22, 2018
Gay individuals have families too and love their children like you do. However, most of them are not hateful since they have learned the hard way that being in the minority makes you a target by unempathetic, fearful people. I'm very impressed with NBC and Macys.
— Lee Cusenbary (@Cusenbary) November 22, 2018
Conservative logic:
— Matthew Worden (@MattTheRurouni) November 23, 2018
Two girls kissing on TV: offensive.
Trump brags about sexually assaulting women and mocks disabled reporter: support him for president.
This is so beautiful!
— Shaunna (@tiny_mischief) November 22, 2018
Love Is Love ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤
Congratulations from the UK 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/TfnVLvdxaW
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.