Rochester’s first Annual LGBT Wedding Expo (and I was there!)
Wow, Rochester continues the tradition in being the first for civil rights movements. This Gala Event offered a great opportunity for a night on the town, and to be part of history in the making. I want to thank the organizers for giving me the chance to document this important happening for RT and for giving Monroe county the shot in the arm that it needs to recognize the importance of marriage for everyone who values love and commitment as basic human needs, as well as essential to a community’s social and economic health.
Earlier in the day, several couples spoke their vows at church. From WXXI:
ROCHESTER, NY (2008-04-28) A dozen same sex couples renewed or said marriage vows for the first time after years of partnership this weekend at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester.
The group ceremony, though not legal marriage under New York State law, marked a court decision that’s been hailed by gay advocates trying to push the case for same-sex marriage rights in New York.
The reception for these couples, and all who wanted to participate, was held at the Riverside Convention Center later in the evening.
At the registration table we were graciously greeted and asked to sign the “Guest Book” which was actually a petition stating our support for the recognition of Same Sex Marriage in New York State. We were given shopping bags and raffle tickets to partake in the offerings of the raffles, silent auctions and vendor samples. The room for wedding vendors was packed, business people anxious to tap into this new market lined the room and the center court.
At 8: 15 PM an introduction and welcome was given by Jo Meleca-Voigt.
She thanked all the participants for signing the “guest book”. She spoke of those, locally in the government who supported the cause. She stressed that we need to stand up for those candidates that stand up for us and noted that not one state senator, representing Monroe County, supports same sex marriage.
“We need to work together and work smart and like Pat Martinez, not take ‘no’ for an answer.”
This was a great lead-in to Pat, who spoke next:
We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal………….
……..and the pursuit of happiness.
lisa-and-pat.JPG(I’m thinking they look pretty happy)
Pat and Lisa led with the first wedding dance (and, no Pat, the music does NOT move you ugly!)
I had the opportunity to speak with our friends, Anne Tischer and Bess Watts, who you will recall from previous posts:
I rounded out the evening by asking our County Legislature’s Minority Leader, Harry Bronson, for a quote. (I’m paraphrasing here, cause Harry talks fast and I write slowly-can I borrow your recorder next time, Stlo?):
“Celebrating diversity, like this, is a wonderful thing to do. I sincerely hope that Maggie Brooks reconsiders her decision to appeal and holds true to the ideals of the civil rights activists from this area since the days of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. It is disheartening that the current administration opposes same sex marriage. Our County Executive says it’s all about the taxpayers, but we are all taxpayers.”
Thanks, Harry-You’re right, of course.
Great report & pics– thanks.
My pleasure, we had a ball!
Thanks for the write up and thanks for attending. I am so thrilled that the event was a success. We pulled it all together in 2 1/2 months!!!! Next time around we’ll have a whole year to plan it! Imagine what fun that will be!
On a seperate note, imagine if we allowed same-sex couples to marry here? The boost to tourism alone would be fantastic, let alone the tens of thousands people spend on weddings. I think that’s a better stimulus package than $600.
“essential to a community’s social and economic health”,
“The room for wedding vendors was packed, business people anxious to tap into this new market lined the room and the center court”
Yes, much better than $600!!
for clarification…
not one state senator representing Monroe County supports marriage for consenting same sex adults. There are several senators statewide who do.
Thanks Jo. I fixed it.
and several candidates running against those Monroe County Senators (including Dollinger, Frankel, Powell) who DO support marriage equality.
Saturday night, I didn’t feel like the music moved me ugly. I was amazed at everything. And thanks for introducing yourself — the picture is great, too. Would it be possible for me to get a copy of it from you, since we didn’t have a chance to take ANY pictures once things started happening?
And Jo M-V is absolutely correct about the revenue same-sex marriage would bring New York State. I actually brought it up to Senator Alesi yesterday during Equality and Justice Day — that 60 vendors in Monroe County alone thought that same-sex marriage was something worth supporting, even if it’s just to make a buck. Unfortunately, the Senator himself couldn’t leave his office fast enough, even though his foot was in a heavy cast.
When someone, later, wondered out loud wat happened to his foot, I suggested that maybe it had been in his mouth a bit too long…
Anyhoo…a great time was had by all.
Pictures have been sent. More will be forth-coming.
Hey, ladkiddo - great article and pictures, and it was great meeting you.. Thanks a lot for this write up, RT does a great job in everything they cover - THE source for correct information.
Gays and lesbians contribute over 700 billion to the U.S. economy annually - it’s time to stand up and take notice, especially Monroe County as they continue their economic slide into oblivion.
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