Bridal magazine shuts after refusing to feature LGBT couples
The publishers announced the magazine’s closure on their website (White Magazine)
An Australian bridal magazine has announced it will close after contributors revealed it was refusing to feature same-sex couples.
White magazine, which launched 12 years ago and is one of the country’s largest wedding publications, said several advertisers had pulled their sponsorship following the controversy.
The publishers said they had received a “flood of judgement” in a statement posted on the magazine’s website on Saturday.
“We have had to recognise the reality that White Magazine is no longer economically viable,” the post reads.
“Last year the Australian law was changed to allow same-sex couples to marry. Since then we have been asked repeatedly why our magazine had not yet featured all couples.
“Like many people, we have had to reflect on our beliefs, not to judge ourselves or others, but to intentionally make space for new conversations.
Sydney celebrating legalising same-sex marriage (Cole Bennetts/Getty Images)
“It’s a long and continuing journey, it’s not black and white, there are so many grey areas that need to be explored.”
The publishers said their “greatest mandate is to love”.
“White Magazine has always been a secular publication, but as its publishers, we are Christian. We have no agenda but to love.
“We have no desire to create a social, political or legal war, which only divides people further and does more damage than good. To us, our faith is anchored in love without judgement.”
Wedding magazine “targeted by a campaign”
The post said the magazine’s team and advertisers had been targeted “by a campaign”.
“Couples who have featured in our magazine have also been the subject of online abuse despite their individual beliefs,” it reads.
The publication was launched 12 years ago (White Magazine)
In August, contributors revealed the magazine was not including same-sex couples and was not being open about its stance.
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.”
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.”
