A long-running New Zealand woman’s magazine has unveiled its first ever wedding cover featuring a same-sex couple, covering the nuptials of Lynda Topp and her partner of seven years Donna Luxton. The couple tied the knot at their lodge in the small South Canterbury town of Staveley on 9 March. In its latest issue, Woman’s Day says it was a true country hoe-down with cowboy hats, boots and plaid shirts alongside the bridal bouquet and wedding cake. A miniature pony played ringbearer, trotting down the aisle to Shania Twain’s classic “You’re Still the One”. “Let’s get one thing straight, this is not a civil union – it’s a marriage. We just happen to be a little bit ahead of everyone,” Topp told Woman’s Day. “I think everybody should be able to stand up and say, ‘I’m getting married’.” Woman’s Day editor Sido Kitchin says with New Zealand one step closer to legalising marriage equality, the timing of the story is uncanny. “The Topp Twins are national treasures and have brought Kiwis so much joy. Woman’s Day wishes Lynda a lifetime of love and happiness with her new bride.” There's been a recent trend of women’s magazines embracing local gay weddings, with Tamati Coffey and Tim Smith’s civil union the subject of a cover story last year.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 17th March 2013 - 12:46pm