The Today Show has done it again. Their infatuation with, and their alienation of, the gluten free community continues. We’ve got a target on our backs folks.

First, they called celiac disease trendy.

Then they called us picky eaters.

Then…well…they did this.

And now, to help us celebrate the final days of Celiac Awareness Month, they decide to ridicule us by calling us “turn-offs”.

Just watch the video HERE and you’ll witness ignorance is all its glory. I normally give a detailed breakdown of the video, but in order to do that, it means I’d have to watch it again. And I simply can’t stomach it.

First a few non-gluten related observations:

1) Does anybody think they’re funny?

2) I just love the drawings of Hoda and Kathy Lee that they use as a backdrop. I can only assume the drawings were done many, many years ago, pre-botox.

3) I feel bad for the people in the background whose job it is to laugh out loud at these two fools. The worst job on TV, by far.

4) No…really…does anybody honestly think they’re funny??

Ok…now to the gluten issue.

Maybe somebody out there in TV land can tell me how shows like this work. Do the hosts and producers discuss ahead of time what the topics of conversation will be? Did Hoda tell them that she’ll be making fun of gluten-free people and they gave her the green light?

Because seriously, how does something like this make it on the air?

How can you mock an entire segment of a population who deal with gluten-related health issues?

How can you compare people who cannot eat gluten to those who don’t eat pepper?

And why the hell do you imply that people who are gluten-free are weak or whimpy?

Gee…where have we heard this before? Oh yeah…just last week on the Disney Channel and on Chelsea Handler.

I’ll give Kathie Lee props for trying to rein Hoda in at first, but then like any other lazy entertainer, she decides to ridicule instead of educate.

At this point, all I can do is plead my case to the producers of The Today Show.

Dear NBC Executives:

Your continued abuse of the gluten-free community is both confounding and disturbing and we ask that you stop, effective immediately.

We also request a public apology to our community.

Perhaps you do not understand the seriousness of our disease so let me lay out a few facts for you.

Fact: Almost 1% of the population has celiac disease and an additional 5% of the population suffers from gluten intolerance. So, in essence, you are pissing off about 6% of your audience.

Fact: It is estimated that 42,000 children may die every year from undiagnosed celiac disease.

Fact: People with celiac disease have a higher mortality rate than those without.

Fact: People with celiac disease are 50% more likely to commit suicide than those without.

I could go on and on but hopefully my point is clear. There is absolutely nothing funny or entertaining about our disease.

Would you make fun of people with ALS? MS? Diabetes? Cancer? I didn’t think so.

We didn’t choose this autoimmune disease. We hate having it. You are making an absolute mockery of it. And we’d like you to stop.

Perhaps if you showed some compassion instead of complete ignorance, your ratings wouldn’t be in the tank.

Sincerely,

Gluten Dude

And to our wonderful, passionate community, please continue to make your voices heard. You can contact Hoda and Kathy Lee on Facebook here and on Twitter here.

Don’t be shy.

Oh…and a direct message to you Hoda. Since my disease is such a major turn-off for you, I’m cancelling our date for this Saturday.

October 2019 Announcement: I am creating a mobile app specifically for the celiac community!! I have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the project. The campaign will end October 27, 2019. Please consider supporting the project. Every penny will help bring it to life. View the Details. Thanks!