An Australian wedding magazine refused to feature gay couples – now it’s gone out of business
- The founders of White Magazine said they had decided to close it after experiencing a ‘flood of judgment’ that left it unviable
The founders of White Magazine, Luke and Carla Burrell, said they had decided to close it after experiencing a “flood of judgment” that left it unviable.
“A campaign was launched targeting the magazine, our team and our advertisers,” said the couple, who had decided not to include same-sex couples for religious reasons.
“The result has been that a number of advertisers withdrew their sponsorship out of fear of being judged, or in protest. We have had to recognise the reality that White Magazine is no longer economically viable.”
Australia legalised same-sex marriages in December last year.
The magazine is the latest company to close as LGBT campaigners have increasingly focused on businesses refusing to comply with requests from gay and transgender customers.
At the heart of the matter is the growing economic clout of gay and trans consumers – and their importance for advertisers.
I don’t think it is the place of business to make a moral judgment
Research conducted by Kantar Consulting, part of the major advertising group WPP, estimated LGBT buying power in the United States alone at US$1 trillion in 2016 – almost equal to African-American or Hispanic consumers.
“As a business principle you can’t close your doors to certain people,” said Sean Howell, co-founder of Hornet, an LGBT social network that commissioned the Kantar survey.
“If you close them for gay people, are you going to close them to any woman who’s ever had an abortion? I don’t think it is the place of business to make a moral judgment against people; business by its nature should be open.”
Advertisers around the world have taken note. Smirnoff vodka and frozen food company McCain are among the brands to have launched specifically LGBT advertisements in recent years.
“As a publication, (the White Magazine) has the right to cover what they want, but [on the] flip side, as consumers we have the right to consume what we want,” said Sian Hainsworth, founder and head of production at social content agency Live & Wired.
“What this shows to me is that the majority want to consume media that reflects all of society.”
Many countries explicitly outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexuality for companies offering goods and services.
