Wedding magazine allegedly refuses to feature same-sex couples
The publication was launched 12 years ago (White Magazine)
An Australian wedding magazine has been hit by allegations that it has blocked coverage of same-sex weddings.
Same-sex marriage became legal in Australia in 2017 after the public overwhelmingly backed the change in a plebiscite (public vote).
However, one of the country’s largest wedding publications, White, made no reference to the change and has not featured any same-sex couples in any subsequent editions despite a surge in gay weddings.
White Magazine
Contributors to White have this week come forward to allege that the magazine is operating an informal policy blocking all coverage of gay weddings.
Photographer Lara Hotz, who has previously had her work featured on the cover of the magazine, raised the issue in exchange with the editor.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the editor responded via text message: “we aren’t sharing Same Sex weddings at this point”
Hotz, who is married to a woman, said: “I imagine the majority of LGBTQI persons would be feeling hurt regarding not being represented equally or at all.”
Others in the wedding industry hit out at the magazine on social media.
Photographer Alex Vaughan wrote: “Over the past twelve months, emails have been sent, calls have been made and some of the best wedding photographers in Australia have put their support behind a movement asking White Magazine to include and represent same-sex weddings.
“Either White Magazine should represent same-sex weddings or make public their unwillingness to do so so that consumers and vendors can make informed choices on whether or not they want to support the magazine.”
Another photographer added: “Absolutely disgraceful, and White Magazine should be ashamed of themselves for discrimination. I believe everyone is equal no matter your background, orientation, or preference of anything in life.”
Advertisers with the magazine also voiced shock.
Ona Janzen, who has advertised her wedding photography business in White Magazine, told AAP: “If I had known they don’t support SSM I wouldn’t have chosen to spend a good portion of my marketing funds with their magazine, on principle.”
The magazine has not responded to the report.
