A lesbian couple were rudely rejected by a wedding videographer because they’re gay. So the community did something about it
Kelly Roberts and Mallory Arthur (Facebook)
A videographer is being bombarded with negative reviews after she refused to shoot a lesbian couple’s wedding because of their sexual orientation.
Kelly Roberts and Mallory Arthur, who live in Ontario, Canada, got engaged in January and have been busily planning their wedding ever since.
The happy couple were shocked when they emailed a local wedding videographer to ask if she would shoot their nuptials and she refused — because they’re gay.
“I say this with much care, because I know that your union is incredibly important to you, but we do not film homosexual weddings,” Cara Hamstra of Caramount Pictures said, according to a screenshot.
“Wishing you both good health and peace during these stressful COVID times,” she added.
Couple received an outpouring of support after sharing the message.
Roberts shared a screenshot of the email on Facebook and wrote: “So yeah, any videography suggestions in the Woodstock/London/Brantford area? This is the second time this has happened in our wedding planning.”
“The fact that she didn’t even try to mask her homophobia… in writing — I think that was the shocking part,” Roberts told The Star.
“The fact that she didn’t even try to mask it just shows how it’s such a normal thought for her to have.”
Since Roberts shared the email, people have flooded Caramount Pictures’ Facebook and Google profiles with negative reviews — and their rating dropped to just one star on Facebook.
I say this with much care, because I now that your union is incredibly important to you, but we do not film homosexual weddings.
Caramount Pictures has since deleted its social media profiles and its website has become inactive.
Sadly, this was’t the couple’s first run-in with anti-gay discrimination in planning their wedding. They were previously sent packing by an Ontario-based officiant who refused to be involved with their ceremony due to his religious beliefs.
“Since we had that experience, especially, when I reach out to someone I try to make it clear that it’s two brides marrying each other just because it was such a bad taste in my mouth before,” Roberts said.
“The fact that I need to out myself in a way to every single vendor that I reach out to, just because I don’t want to face this problem, it’s sad.”
Something good has come out of their ordeal.
The couple have since thanked the public for the overwhelming support they have been shown.
“I want every single one of you to know that I am grateful for you,” Roberts wrote on Facebook.
In a joint statement shared on social media, the couple thanked well-wishers for their support.
“The outpouring of support from everyone has been overwhelming in the most beautiful way,” the couple wrote.
“It has been amazing to see recommendations from so many LGBTQ+ and allies owned businesses. Thanks to your recommendations, we were able to find a videographer to film our big day.
“I wish we could invite each and every one of you to celebrate with us.”
They said the are hoping to compile a list of LGBT+ owned and queer inclusive businesses in their area to help other couples like them going forward.
