Fashion website Preview apologized on their Facebook page today for publishing an article about how fashion designer Jian Lasala turned away from being gay due to his religion.
Preview‘s apology was posted on their account twice, one as a follow-up caption to the original post featuring Lasala’s story, and another in a separate Facebook post.
The article has since been taken down from their website but it initially reported about Lasala’s Facebook post on Monday where he said he was “running away” from being gay because he was “pursued” by God who “deserves my everything!”
Several netizens rallied against Preview’s article, saying that it reeked of homophobia. One pointed out that it was a pity that they didn’t discuss the dangers of conversion therapy, a highly controversial and reportedly dangerous practice where members of the LGBTQ community go through a religious intervention as an attempt to make them straight.
Preview‘s team addressed netizens’ concerns in their apology post.
“What was meant to be a news report was short-sighted and does not reflect our true support of the community. We regret this and would like to use this opportunity to enlighten readers about the discussion at hand by continuing to produce and share stories that will inform and inspire,” Preview wrote.
“As a publication that has proudly had the privilege of working with many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, we would like to give everyone the respect and empowerment everyone deserves. Again we are deeply and sincerely sorry for this error on our part and will strive to produce stories that inform, enlighten, and empower,” it added.
Many netizens who reacted to their apology post, however, were still upset over the article’s publication. Yves Camingue said that Lasala’s story was not news-worthy. He also said it was attention-seeking and regressive.
Matthew Pirante Perez said it was impossible that the editors of the website did not understand the implications of publishing the Lasala article.
Carlo Guison encouraged the website’s LGBTQ+ staff to resign.
Writer and professor Danton Remoto said he remembered the print edition of Preview as a fun and intelligent magazine. “I do not know what happened, with this new slew of so-called editors,” he wrote scathingly.
Preview’s print magazine was discontinued in April 2018.
How do you feel about Preview publishing this story? Leave a comment below or tweet to @CoconutsManila.
Reader Interactions