White Magazine, one of Australia’s biggest bridal magazines, got under fire after refusing submissions that featured same-sex couples. After a fierce backlash, the magazine has lost the sponsors and now it’s going out of business. The founders Luke and Carla Burrell have reportedly made this choice in order to stay true to their Christian beliefs.
Same-sex marriage was voted legal in Australia in December 2017. The Burrell’s write in a statement that they have been asked repeatedly ever since why their magazine hadn’t featured all couples. They describe the magazine as “secular” but add that, as publishers, they are Christian.
Wedding photographer Lara Hotz shot three covers for White Magazine. Back in August, she told the media that their decision made her feel “extremely hurt.” Other than being a wedding photographer for the past 14 years, she is in a same-sex marriage herself, BBC reports. Therefore, White Magazine decision has made her feel “personally undervalued, unsupported and confused,” as she told ABC.
Hotz added that White Magazine did work with members of the LGBTQI community. However, they reportedly failed to represent same-sex weddings. Consequently, a number of advertisers withdrew their sponsorship. Some of them had the “fear of being judged,” and the others did it “in protest,” according to the founders. As a result, the magazine is not economically viable any longer and it’s going out of business.
The founders have issued a statement regarding their decision, and the response was mixed. Some comments were harsh, calling them out for being “homophobic.” The others were supportive and expressed their regret for the shutdown of White Magazine.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time that homosexual couples or individuals get discriminated in the wedding industry. A few months ago, two wedding videographers refused to shoot a same-sex couple in order to stay true to their beliefs. Also, a gay photographer was fired from maternity shoot after the client discovered that she was gay.
In my opinion, gay couples deserve to be respected just like any other couples. Also, I’m not Christian, but I know that not all Christians are automatically against homosexual couples. Being religious doesn’t automatically make someone less tolerant. Now, I guess that the founders of the magazine have the right to choose what they want and don’t want to feature. However, it came down to a choice between staying true to their beliefs and running a successful bridal magazine. Apparently, they couldn’t have both.
[via BBC]
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