Take the Cake Events: My Big Gay (Il)legal Wedding

Thursday, April 30, 2015

My Big Gay (Il)legal Wedding

About a year ago we were contacted by the ACLU for help with a contest they had started call 'My Big Gay (Il)legal Wedding' to call attention to the patchwork of state laws that allow same-sex couples the freedom to marry in 16 states and the District of Columbia, but deny those same couples that freedom in the rest of the states. We are based in Nevada, one of the states not recognizing all marriages at the time, but bordering California where same sex marriages have been recognized since 2008. The couple resides in Reno, NV, but the wedding took place at The Landing in South Lake Tahoe, CA.

I had been following the contest on Facebook and had seen a local Reno couple had made it into the finals so I was so excited when we got the call to be involved. The only downside was that the ACLU scheduled wedding date was less than 4 weeks away and nothing was planned, Eeeek! Through a lot of hard work and rushing on all parts we were able to create a wonderful intimate wedding ceremony followed by cocktails and appetizers to celebrate Brian and Jeromy's love in beautiful Lake Tahoe. A larger reception followed in New York City for all the winners.

It was such a pleasure working with the couple, Purpose (the organization oversee the budget) and the ACLU. It is unfortunate that this problem existed, but we were so happy to help work towards rectifying it.

UPDATE: October 9, 2014 Nevada began recognizing Same Sex Marriages and issuing marriage licenses to all couples regardless of sexual orientation!!!