A Kentucky wedding photographer who used an image of a gay couple in an advert has been told that her inclusive business is disgusting and that she needs to rethink her values.
Lacy Hilliard runs Wandering Elm Photography in Somerset, Kentucky and recently ran a small advert in her local Money Saver magazine featuring six photographs of couples, one of which was gay. On Saturday, Hilliard received a voicemail on her phone from someone who had seen the advert and felt compelled to get in touch.
“You really need to rethink your values,” the caller explains. “This is Kentucky. This isn’t San Francisco. It isn’t L.A. It’s not New York.” The caller also describes the advert as "disgusting" and “an abomination.”
Hilliard felt that it was important to use the call as a means of fighting prejudice and promoting inclusivity. Using the hashtag #LoveWins, Hilliard checked with the featured couple and then shared it through her Facebook business page.
Speaking to LEX18, she explained that “All people are welcomed at my studio regardless of race, color, sexual orientation.”
Thanks to the publicity, the caller’s objections seem to have inadvertently promoted both the business and inclusivity, with the message turned from one of bigotry into one of openness and positivity.
I thought the caller was polite/living in the dark ages (pardon the pun)...but so what?
We really don't need another PSA for this kind of stuff.
I’m so far removed from this type of thinking where I live I am always shocked to discover it still exists in the same country.
I used to think this way. I thought because I lived in a blue state, a fairly progressive area, I wouldn't have to worry about things like discrimination against race or sexual orientation...Until I experienced it myself. I look white, but I'm actually mixed race. On more than one occasion, a person has acted differently towards me when they found out. I think it's important for people to remember, regardless of where you live, these things still happen.
Absolutely. Still, no one would say, “This is Oregon. This doesn’t belong here.” It’s not compatible with the regional identity. The governor is gay. There are laws on the books protecting gay rights. The vast majority of people support gay rights. There are certainly a lot of people that do not fit that mold though. Especially the farther you get from the I-5 corridor. Still, the bigots are the ones who have to be in the closet, not the other way around.
I had a chat with an american woman (I'm from Europe and traveling), open minded, cultivated, visiting other places... talking about the elections and the "fly over people", refering to the people from inside the usa, never leaving their town or their state, and being racist and close minded as hell...
The less you see, the more you are affraid and selfish, and Trump gets elected.
The woman from the call must be one of these.
Why is one random persons opinion becomes headline story?
Because standing up to anonymous person on the internet makes folks feel righteous. You know how much publicity like this would have cost?
Yep, free advert. And helping a good cause by the way, and everyone is happy :)
Very good question
Agreed. A lot of stupid stuff would just go away quietly if people just ignored them.
What, you mean like the person who saw the ad and felt compelled to voice their backwards opinions? I think you're right...
You mean like the KKK, and the John Birch Society? Sticking your head in the sand has never changed anything in this world.
Isn't this the state that refused a marriage license to a couple? What stopped the woman from simply flipping the page and ignore a choice she didn't agree with or understand? Instead, she chose to pick up the phone to attack and insult someone.
Yes, you're thinking of Kim Davis.
I thought this was a photography website not a platform for social or political agendas. In no way shape or form does waving flags about lifestyles , politics or who sleeps with whom make any of us better photographers. And that is all this article is , flag waving. No need for it to exist here.
Until it's YOUR photography business they're attacking. Then it would be different. Right?
She is a photographer, she was attacked for her photography and her business. It seems germane to me.
Possibly not make us better photographers but maybe better at running a photography business. If you don't have a photo biz it really means nothing.
Herein lies the disconnect of the day. We no longer pay attention to what's happening but who it's happening to. If the person who is being treated unfairly doesn't belong to your tribe "who cares" or worse "what about the time...." Rethink what it is for us all to have life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness.
the least value you give to these people, the faster they will understand that without any attention, they might as well shut up and use their time to focus on their own lives instead of bashing on others for free.
Also, the reason why she never says her name is because she doesn't want to be singled out. She knows this is wrong, oldfashioned and completely out of line.
I wonder what goes on people's mind to actually bother to make such comments and try to put others down.
people need to respect one another way more.. Fu-ck-ed up world we are living in.
how is commenting on a post the same thing as publishing it? my comment is actually saying "this post shouldn't be made", it's not in any way giving this woman validation or anything similar. Much to the contrary actually. i don't see the similarity to be honest. but i respect your opinion if that's your view on this. all good mate
That person's world view is the predominant world view in much of the Southeast/Bible Belt. Ignoring it doesn't make it go away. I live in Tennessee and have had literally the same thing said to me about my values not belonging here.
people's political and religious believes are their own. you're right that unfortunately it's a predominant view within some locations/religions etc.
I'd rather we don't give these people more visibility. It should be dealt with the authorities and that's it.
But again, this is also my own opinion and others don't have to agree with me.
In this part of the country they aren't searching for attention. They are looking to silence anybody who doesn't agree with their beliefs and force them to conform to their world view through intimidation. Unfortunately in this part of the country, the authorities back up these people, not those they are attacking.
Heck of a possible marketing ploy haha
Why is it always Kentucky that's so backward?
I wonder if it's things like this that give the deep south a reputation for homophobia? Nah, can't be.
My mother always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".
People who feel compelled to add to the anger to the environment are not making things better. No one will change because someone told them to. They will just get angry and pass it on.
Should be amended "if you can't say something nice, try harder to find the common humanity in us all"
Question: Would you say no to a gay photoshoot?
Boudoir?
Wedding?
Portraits?
I probably would, though I would explain that it's because they wouldn't get the results they expect due to my discomfort, and someone else would provide much higher quality images.
Say no to money? If you can afford what I'll charge, I'll shoot whatever. And that is my solution to working with people, or on projects that I, for whatever reason, don't really want to. I charge a LOT of money. If you can afford that, I can deal with whatever it is.
If they’ve got money I’ll shoot it.
It's complicated. I am a conservative, Christian, white male. I also photographed my sister-in-laws gay wedding. The term marriage is complicated today because it is wrapped in a shroud of a legal process. In that respect, I believe in Gay marriage as I do not believe the government should oversight into the personal lives of its citizens. The complication for most Christians that I know is that they confuse biblical marriage with legal marriage. I love my sister-in-law and her wife who are both a large part of my family. No, we don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, but we take care of each other, are respectful of each other, and treat each other with love.
Yes, it is complicated. People fail to see the difference between Old Testament roles of men and women and New Testament statements of "love one another". I have a family member that hasn't come out and I don't think of them any differently because of it.
Well, Sorry, But I agree 1000% with this woman caller!! Why, Because I have the right! Don't get me wrong here, I never hate anyone, maybe dislike, but not hate. I have a few Gay friends, but they Know exactly how I feel and where I stand. Greece Fell, Rome Fell, Sodom & Gomorrah Fell, the same will happen here unless it starts to subside. It's simple, it's Adam & Eve, Not Adam & Steve! I would never ever shoot anything that would contribute to homosexuality, Not any amount!
That's so silly. God created Adam, Eve, and Steve. They just didn't pop up out of nowhere. If you actually read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, you'd be shocked that it advocates allowing your daughters to be raped and that incest is okay, as long as you're drunk.
I don't think the Bible is "reporting" events, as it is used as a model for behavior by a large number of people. It's advocating it.
Leon - you have your right to your opinion but my opinion is that yours is unamerican. In this country were free to live our lives as we see fit, your opinion shouldn't define their rights.
It is my religious belief to pray for Homosexual sinners, not hinder them, and I believe that your opinion is not correct, about being UnAmerican, This country was founded on the Jewdain Christian principle of Freedom of Religion for a reason! That's all I have to say, Good Luck with your life choice! I've made my point, so I would like to see better articles other than controversial ones like this Click-Bait Trap That I got caught in.
You are plenty old enough to take responsibility for the articles you read, the ones you engage with, and continue to reply to. I think it's very disingenuous for you to pretend otherwise. Also the founders did in fact enshrine your freedom of religion, but the moment your religion begins to encroach on another's rights you cease to appreciate the spirit of the document. We also have the freedom from religion which is precisely why in our constitution it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".
As a Christian I'm sure you don't condone selling your daughter into slavery, or ending the lives of those who decide to wear blended fabrics either even if Christian law would dictate you do just that. I've never seen Christian's protesting outside of a red lobster even if shellfish are brazenly served defying the list of clean animals.
Put simply you are not a victim of this article's bait, the article didn't require you to argue with it, the country isn't worse for people being allowed to live their lives as they see fit, and your faith shouldn't hinder their rights. Enjoy your president's day.
If Old Testament laws don't apply to Christians, then why are they more interested in rules against homosexuality, which are in the Old Testament, than they care about the laws of Jesus.
I don't take the commentary from Paul as more than just his opinions. He never met or talked to Jesus. He was an Old Testament Jew.
Come to Canada. We don't care who you marry. Just be polite and you'll fit right in.
I'm a transplant from the USA....and that is just not true. The same thing happens here all the time.
I'm LGBT and i'm fairly certain there are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Kentucky. Whomever the person was leaving the bigoted voicemail was needs to get out more often and open their eyes when they do. We're a diverse Nation whether anyone is happy with it or not and everyone deserves to be treated equally regardless of faith, gender, orientation, etc.