Looking for an inclusive holiday movie for the whole family? Well, the Hallmark Channel is finally bringing LGBTQ+ to the Christmas season with a new movie starring Jonathan Bennett and Brad Harder.
What We Know:
- The Christmas House is set to make Hallmark history as the first of their films to feature a gay lead couple. The movie follows a married couple, played by Bennett and Harder, who spend time with their families during the holidays while anxiously awaiting for the green-light to adopt their first child.
- The movie premiered on November 22nd, and is already getting some mixed reviews. In a blog-post for Tell-Tale T.V., viewer Esme Mazzeo writes, “The Christmas House has a small space in LBGTQIA history, though. It could have highlighted that just a little bit more.” She thinks that the couple needed more screen time, but did commend Hallmark for “listening to their viewers” after fans previously said the channel lacked inclusivity in their movies.
- Jonathan Bennett, an openly gay actor most famously known for his role as Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls, raved about the film’s message, telling NBC News, “I’m proud of everyone at Hallmark Channel for making the holiday table bigger and more welcoming and warmer this year. It’s an honor to be part of the network’s progress.” He also stated that the film has moved him and his partner to consider adoption.
- Other platforms are starting to include major roles for LGBTQ+ people. Hulu’s Happiest Season, centers on a lesbian couple’s trip home for the holidays, streaming on Nov. 25. Lifetime’s first-holiday movie to focus on a gay couple in The Christmas Setup, is set to air on Dec. 12.
We hope to see more historically inclusive movies in the future.
