A wedding magazine led by a couple in Australia has shut down as being “no longer economically viable” after a number of advertisers pulled their support due to public complaints that the magazine had not featured homosexuals in its pages.
White Magazine, led by Luke and Carla Burrell, announced the closure on Saturday, outlining that after same-sex “marriage” was legalized in Australia last year, a number of readers asked why the magazine didn’t begin including homosexuals in their publication.
According to the Burrells, a campaign was soon launched against the magazine and its advertisers by those upset with White’s lack of inclusion.
The Burrells take the position of not “taking sides” or “judging” anyone, but believe that they have been judged by others.
“White Magazine has always been a secular publication, but as its publishers, we are Christian. We have no agenda but to love,” the notice from the couple reads. “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 judgment.”
However, “Recently we’ve experienced a flood of judgment,” the Burrells state. “A campaign was launched targeting the magazine, our team and our advertisers. Couples who have featured in our magazine have also been the subject of online abuse despite their individual beliefs. We’re really saddened by this.”
Advertisers consequently pulled out of doing business with the magazine, some because they too were unhappy with the couple’s choices, and others because they were afraid that they might be “judged” for staying.
“We have had to recognize the reality that White Magazine is no longer economically viable,” the Burrells lament.
According to reports, a lesbian who had shot covers for three of the issues had spoken publicly earlier this year about the matter, stating that she was “extremely hurt” that White Magazine wasn’t including homosexuals in its pages.
“It appears they are happy to take money, content and photographs from LGBTQI advertisers and contributors, but are yet to support and represent us in the same way as heterosexual couples are represented in the magazine,” Lara Hotz told the radio show Hack.
In addition to leaving a farewell message, the Burrells also recorded a video in which they explained that they never meant to hurt anyone, and realize that even within families, people will have clashing viewpoints and disagreements. They said that they don’t feel it is right that someone is cut off just because they view an issue differently.
“For us, White Magazine has always been a labor of love. Our whole lives and heart have gone into it. But we’ve always said it’s important to put our wellbeing and our relationships first,” they wrote in their post. “It has become clear that while we’re on this journey, we won’t be given the grace and patience that we need, nor can we operate in a way that accurately reflects the deep love we have for all.”
The Burrells ended with the text of 1 Corinthians 13.
The hymn “Once I Had a Fervent Heart” declares, “Things of earth will soon be gone; why let them rule my soul? Once I watched for His return; why take the wavering role?”
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