Family Circle featured a family
headed by a gay couple for the first time in its 82 year history.
Dads Chris and Bob Osner-Hackett appear
with their two daughters in the November issue of Family Circle.
The couple answered questions in the
magazine's Modern Life column.
“The Modern Life column is one of
several new features introduced with the redesigned September 2014
issue,” Linda Fears, vice president and editor-in-chief at Family
Circle, told The
Huffington Post.
The aim of Family Circle, Fears said,
“is to be reflective of all families and we don't think it's a big
deal to publish a piece on gay parents.”
In the piece, the men were asked to
describe their family in three words – “loving, grateful and
supportive,” they responded – and their parenting styles – “Bob
is by far the adventurer, while I lean toward measured caution,”
Chris said.
The piece received some complaints on
the magazine's Facebook page.
“I was so disappointed … that I
will not renew my subscription,” Arlene Emery wrote.
“Not you, too! Less than 5% of our
population is gay, while over 80% say they believe in God,” Debbie
Vlahovic of Mesa, Arizona wrote. “If you do believe in God, you
know he calls this an abomination. My mom … would be shocked.”
Fears responded to the criticism.
“We are certainly not the first
magazine or media brand to share the story of gay parents,” Fears
said. “But we will also publish stories on single parents,
multi-racial couples, and unmarried couples with kids. People may
not like those either, but they are all representative of American
family life today.”
“We hope that everything we publish
in Family Circle is inspiring, informative, thought provoking or
motivating in one way or another,” she added. “Our goal is to be
relevant, honest and realistic.”