01/06/2026
Brace yourselves, companies rainbow washing has arrived.
There'll be no specifically posting photos of the LGBTQ+ community just to tick a box here, I believe in celebrating what's been achieved but it's so important to be discussing what still needs to change too.
We have such a long way to go before love is truly neutral and exclusive.
- Heteronormative language is riddled everywhere in the industry still, with Bride & Groom being the standard. (Apart from of course that once a year post)
Approximately 7,500 LGBTQIA+ weddings happened in the UK last year and that's a heck of a lot of people to be excluded from the default language used.
It's not just limited to 'Bride & Groom', you'll find the language everywhere - Bridal Car, Bridal Room, Bridal Wedding Fayre, Bridal Party. The terminology needs updating because many weddings don't feature a bride, so please.. can the industry stop using it as the default already, language matters.
- There are no legally recognized gender neutral terms such as "spouse" for official UK marriage certificates and if you're non binary there is no way to opt out of a gender when it comes to getting married.
- Churches can still legally refuse to marry LGBTQIA+ couples.
As a straight woman I am sure there's lots of things I don't know what the community struggles with, I am always trying to learn and grow so don't ever be frightened of telling me if you spot a way I can grow that I've not realised yet, I welcome it. Your right to marry who you want to marry, how you want to marry them, is important to me.
