As We See It

Faces of gay Vegas: Modeling agency launches LGBT division

The Platinum Agency just launched an LGBT division. Platinum CEO Laura Diane, who identifies as a member of the LGBT community, said she “felt compelled to cultivate a safe space for LGBT models within [her] agency where they feel free of prejudice.” But isn’t the modeling business one of the more prejudice-free industries? Why have a separate division? According to Diane, “Often, we will receive model requests from clients who are doing LGBT advertising and they will ask for ‘LGBT-friendly’ models. With our new LGBT Division clients ... they can request actual models who are part of the LGBT community.” So if I’m shooting an ad for a gay club, I no longer need to ask, “Is your model down with being the face of gay Vegas?” I suppose that will save us 10 seconds, but isn’t there a chance this will perpetuate the notion that gay people look different from straight people?

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