Welcome to “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” GO Magazine’s interview series that profiles a different queer babe each day, by asking them seven unique (and sometimes random) questions. Get to know the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the groundbreaking, fierce forces-of-nature in the queer community.
Arlia and Tara Baker are leaders in the lesbian community. They recently launched the first-ever lesbian wedding magazine, “Dancing With Her.”
Same-sex marriage is a very new thing for many countries, and still not legal for many. These celebrations are pivotal for so many people in our community and there hasn’t yet been a resource specifically tailored for us.
Since we’ve had the right to get legally married—there have been a plethora of businesses that have proven homophobia still exists by refusing to make wedding cakes or dresses. This bridal magazine is not only for fashion and event planning, it’s a lifeline for safely planning your lesbian wedding.
Get to know the women who are spread-heading this beautiful new community resource!
GO Magazine: Who are you and what do you do?
Arlia and Tara: Arlia and Tara, founders of Dancing With Her, are two women in love, producing a resource that we couldn’t find when we started our own wedding planning journey. While Arlia also works as a jewellery engineer, Tara has decided to take on Dancing With Her full time. When we aren’t working on Dancing With Her, you’ll find us at the beach, at farmers markets tasting fresh produce or tucked up watching movies at home.
GO: Where do you go for inspiration when you’re feeling discouraged or depleted?
A&T: We really love taking time out. It’s become something that’s been really important to us since Arlia sustained a traumatic brain injury 3 years ago. We usually like to head away, somewhere out in nature to reconnect, both with ourselves and each other. Nature is a great source of inspiration, and we are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
GO: Why did you decide to launch Dancing With Her?
A&T: Tara proposed to Arlia in 2016 and the very next day they went to a 3 story magazine shop to seek inspiration. We found nothing that we could relate too. It was really disappointing.
We sat on the idea of bringing together a community—if we were looking for inspiration that was representative of our relationship, we knew there must be others who were seeking the same.
It all started as an Instagram that quickly gained momentum. It didn’t take long for us to start receiving messages from newlyweds who’d wish they had found us before their wedding, and they wanted to share their story to help inspire others.
From there, it’s been a snowball effect. A website came last December and we produced a 20-page digital magazine this February. That magazine was downloaded in more than 40 countries around the world.
Print was the natural progression, and what had initially sparked the idea. Neither of us have a background in magazine production, so there has been some steep learning curves. We are so thankful that we’ve been able to bring together such a supportive community that have helped us every step of the way. We are so proud of what we’ve created with the help of everyone around us.
GO: Describe your magazine’s style in three word.
A&T: Well, that’s not easy!
Dancing With Her is modern, beautiful and inclusive. And one more? Emotive.
We are really focused on sharing the love stories—we want Dancing With Her to ooze all those big heart feelings!
GO: Where do you see the future of Dancing With Her going?
A&T: While we initially wanted to launch in Australia we’ve discovered an audience across the world—and we want to keep connecting and inspiring that audience. A quarterly magazine and an online space is just the beginning.
We have a few big picture ideas that will start coming out of the woodwork over the next 6-12 months that you’ll have to stay tuned for.
We are also working with vendors to help educate them to be more inclusive of gender and sexuality diverse couples in the work they do. We got tired of going to vendors websites and seeing forms asking for the ‘bride and groom’s name! It isn’t enough to just say that you welcome all couples in marriage, you really need to show it in both their media and language.
GO: Is there such a thing as queer wedding style? If so, what is that for you?
A&T: The absolute BEST thing about queer weddings is that there really is not barriers to the wedding day. “Traditional wedding” is often thrown out the window and you really can expect anything and everything.
We’ve seen brides celebrate their Jewish and Christian heritage in one ceremony, brides get ready together in outfits that suit their style and brides who choose to elope on mountain tops only accessible via helicopter.
We’ve even seen an alpaca ring bearer.
The only thing queer weddings often have in common is an overwhelming sense of love on the big day.
GO: Where can people find you?
A&T: Our website shares the stories of women in love, from all around the world, a wedding planning journal full of ideas and inspiration and you can grab a copy of the launch edition of Dancing With Her magazine there.
www.dancingwithher.com
You can also find constant inspiration via our social media platforms.
Instagram – www.instagram.com/dancingwithher
Facebook – www.facebook.com/dancingwithher
Pinterest – www.pinterest.com/dancingwithher
What Do You Think?