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Somone has trolled the photograph of Samira Wiley and Lauren Morelli getting married and the internet is divided.

It was the image of the weekend. It was in our social feeds, on news stations, spoken about over glasses of wine on Saturday afternoon.Did you see it?

The photo ofOrange is the New Blackactress Samira Wiley and her wife, the show’s writer Lauren Morelli, at their wedding in Palm Springs in California was plastered across the globe, complete with a breast-plated jumpsuit, a cape, and an off-the-shoulder gown.

Twitter user (it’salwaysa Twitter user), Vegan Megan with the handle @pickedupfloozy, saw it as an opportunity.

“Getting married on the same day as my best friend is absolutely bff goals! Are there any pics of how their husbands look like?” they posted alongside the couple shot.

. @mefeater getting married on the same day as my best friend is absolutely bff goals!???? Are there any pics of how their husbands look like?????????

— VeganMegan (@pickedupfloozy) March 26, 2017

Outrage ensued. Some politely pointed out the pair were getting married. Others weren’t so kind.

VeganMegan doubled down.

“Well if they weren’t friends before then they SURELY became friends right after. Just look at their smiles #BFFGOALS,” she Tweeted.

@HannahKlaubo @mefeater well if they weren’t friends before then they SURELY became friends right after. Just look at their smiles #BFFGOALS pic.twitter.com/sKzat5myjK

— VeganMegan (@pickedupfloozy) March 26, 2017

She wasn’t done…

VeganMegan fielded criticism with: “that’s not what ‘gay’ looks like”.

. @HannahKlaubo @mefeater nice try, that’s not what gays look like, sweety. In fact THAT’S what they look like, see the difference?!: pic.twitter.com/gDPCRnZyiW

— VeganMegan (@pickedupfloozy) March 26, 2017

It’s understandable the response has been divided.

One one hand, it’s a sign of how ready we are to be offended. Even when someone is using humour to start a conversation or make people laugh or even to illustrate a point. VeganMegandidconfirm they were joking, telling a commenter: “it was just me being silly. If you got offended by my attempt at humour I sincerely apologise.”

On the other hand, the LGBTI community is definitely not laughing.

Poking fun at somethingpositive, in a world where gay and lesbian relationships so rarely receiveanyrecognition beyond bad headlines and violent news stories, is hurtful.

The book proving that when it comes to families, one size doesn’t fit all. Post continues below.

It is overlooking the discrimination and danger members of the LGBTI community face because of their sexuality.

It is glazing over the fact gay and lesbian people are at a higher risk of suffering mental health problems like depression and anxiety because of the stigma and the discrimination and the hate-from-people-on-the-internet their relationships attract.

It is making a joke out of a marriage that is not even legal around the world – including in Australia.

Most of all, it’s a sign of ignorance. That a beautiful, happy,realphotograph of two women getting married circulated around the world is awinfor the LGBTI community. It’s one positive story. Please can we keep it that way?

Caitlin Bishop

Content Producer

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