Thanks for checking out our Blog!  We're the team of RainbowWeddingNetwork (Marianne, Cindy, Kendra & Ira) - Enjoy the posts, and always feel free to message us with any feedback through Facebook or email us directly. If you do reach out, be sure to request a copy of our latest e-newsletter! ...and remember to check your spam filter for any reply from us, if you don't see a response in your inbox.

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To learn more about who we are, visit the About Us page!

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Wine for a Cause

In 2007, eight young entrepreneurs founded ONEHOPE Wine, and sold 168 cases of their product, with homemade labels, out of the trunks of their cars.  Their vision was to sell amazing wine and donate a sizeable percentage of the profit back to social and community based causes, providing the wine connoissueur the opportunity to make a real difference with each purchase.

Their mission statement reads:  "ONEHOPE is a lifestyle brand with a world-class vineyard in the heart of Napa.  We give back and create a measurable impact through every product in our family of brands.

Our story is one that inspires the common person; epitomizes entrepreneurship; defies odds; and positions women and small businesses as the leaders of the most important movement in the country.  At ONEHOPE we believe consumers want to make a social impact with their everyday lifestyle choices, so we are building a brand that allows them to do that with a platform that is helping other businesses do it too."

And real impact?  Indeed!  After that auspicious start in 2007, in the following year ONEHOPE sold over 1000 cases and donated over $25,000.  By 2009, the company had begun to collaborate with Robert Mondavi Jr. and by 2013 ONEHOPE launched on Amazon and still holds the #1 placement on the site for selling wine.

Here are some of the options when you purchase a bottle:

 

  • Sparkling Brut Rainbow Edition from the Glitter Collection (Every four bottles sold funds 1 hour of operational costs for a help line to assist LGBTQ youth in crisis, through a contribution directly to the Trevor Project)

  • Pinot Noir (Every case helps one animal find their forever home, through the ASPCA)

  • Merlot (One bottle provides life changing medicine to one child in need, through the charitable organization End7)

  • Sauvignon Blanc (Each case provides the planting of six trees, through Trees4Trees)

  • Carneros Reserve Chardonnay from the Reserve Collection (Every bottle helps end bullying and other crises through counseling services via the Crisis Text Line)

  • Reserve GSM (Each case reunites one veteran with a sense of purpose by leading and organizing natural disaster relief through Team Rubicon)

  • Sparkling Brut (Every case funds 25 meals to a child in need, via WhyHunger)


...And the list goes on and on! 

Additionally, any couple who purchases ONEHOPE wine for their wedding will receive 30% off the listed price for a full case (12) and 18% off for a half case (6).  But what's even better is that 10% of THEIR PURCHASE can be donated to a cause of THEIR choice!

Check out the website for full details, or meet their staff in person at RainbowWeddingNetwork.com's upcoming LGBTQ Wedding Expo in Houston on Sunday September 17th!

 

https://www.viaonehope.com/TheBenevolentWine

 

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Kudos to People Magazine & Jackie Evancho for Standing Up for Trans Rights!

People Exclusive – Jackie Evancho Takes on Trump After Inauguration Performance: I Want to Tell Him ‘the Horrors’ My Trans Sister Has Faced

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(NEW YORK) – Jackie Evancho may have sung at the inauguration, but when President Donald Trump rescinded Obama-era protections for transgender people, she changed her tune.

For the new issue of People, the 16-year-old classical vocalist opened up about the backlash she received for her appearance at the Inaugural and how why she wants to sit down with Trump and her trans sister Juliet to discuss transgender rights.

“I [performed] because it’s always been about the honor and not about the politics. I try my best to stay out of politics,” says Evancho. But when Trump took action that could harm her sister, she felt compelled to speak up — “because at that point, something had changed that was going to affect a cause that I believe in. It was going to affect my sister, who I truly love, and people that I know. It was just natural instinct. I had to do something about it.”

Indeed, the America’s Got Talent alum — whose new album Two Hearts drops Friday — took to social media in February after Trump signed the executive order rolling back protections for trans youth, requesting a meeting with the President. The White House said Trump would “welcome” a meeting but have yet to confirm an appointment.

“We’re actively working on it,” says Evancho, who remains hopeful she’ll get the opportunity to sit down with Trump.

On Monday, the Pittsburgh native tweeted Trump again, posting: “THANK YOU for being open to meeting with me to discuss #trans rights. I’ll be in #DC on 3/30 & 3/31. Can we meet?”

As for what Evancho would say if she gets the chance to meet with the President?

READ MORE...

 

 

Grand Prize Winners at our Chicago LGBTQ Wedding Expo!

2017-Chicago-winners-Rev-PamWe are so excited to announce the winners of our Grand Prize Raffle Giveaway at the recent Chicago LGBT Wedding Expo:  John & Eduardo!! 

They've won a full wedding ceremony for 30 guests, courtesy of GayWeddingChicagoSite.com, Rev. Pam Magnuson and Rev Pam's preferred vendors.  This wonderful ceremony package includes the beautiful garden venue Pine Manor Chicago, wedding officiation services, wedding cake for 30 by Central Continental Bakery, live music, photography, and overnight accommodations with breakfast from the Holiday Inn Elk Grove. To see details of this amazing wedding giveaway logon to www.SameSexMarriageChicago.com.

CONGRATS to John & Eduardo - may this be the beginning of a wonderful lifetime together, filled with many beautiful dreams-come-true!

booth-2017

 

 

How Cool Is This?? Gotham decked out with Pride!

C2oAV4aXgAMe WHIt's official: Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are a couple!
Article by Marissa Higgins, DailyDot.com

If you’ve been holding out for iconic villains Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy to finally cement their relationship, you’ll be excited to know the wait is over. That’s right: After decades of the women’s same-sex relationship being hinted at, their relationship is finally discussed in the open in the new DC Comics: Bombshells issue

Of course, as die-hard fans of the couple already know, the two have actually already shared a kiss in Bombshells #42, out last year. In the latest rendition of the series, Bombshells #79, however, their relationship is a central plot point.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking Ahead to 2017

2017-logo2016 was a tumultuous year.  It brought us a divisive election, an unthinkable massacre in a Florida nightclub, an absurd bathroom bill in the state of North Carolina, an unfilled seat on the US Supreme Court, and much more.  There are hundreds of pieces of legislation in states all across America, whose sole purpose is to limit LGBT equality:  LGBT parents, spouses, families, employees, youth...  people.
 
It's true:  we're feeling unsettled.  Baffled.  Angry.
 
Yet it's important to remember that, as all years do, 2016 also brought us amazing gifts:  The opportunity to see a woman (one who believes openly in LGBT equality) have a real chance at the White House... the opportunity to hear our attorney general stand before us time and again with inspirational words of support for the LGBT minority... growing visibility for the trans- community in our nation...  the naming of Stonewall Inn, by President Obama, as the first national monument honoring LGBT history... the reality that speaker after speaker at the RNC attempted to mouth the words "LGBT" to begin showing that they, too, are beginning to frame an understanding of inclusion.
 
And it's also important to remember that the extreme divisiveness we witnessed this year inherently brings its own gifts, as long as we are willing to muscle through the effort of searching for them.  Clamoring to point out the differences between people is a sure way to also point out the similarities.  And those similarities can mark paths in the road ahead, toward a stronger and more inclusive sense of equality for everyone.
 
2017 will undoubtedly present rigorous challenges of its own.  Perhaps it will be our job to see through those challenges for the clarity and opportunities they'll bring to light.  Let's look for those, let's quest for them, let's explore them.  And with that clearer vision, claim what it is we want for our future.
 
-Marianne Puechl, co-founder & author / RainbowWeddingNetwork.com
www.MariannePuechl.com
 

Pro-active Wedding Pros Supporting LGBT Equality!

courtesy Marian HaleImage courtesy Marian HaleGiven the nervousness LGBTQ couples are feeling in response to the outcome of the Presidential election here in the USA, many of the wedding professionals who are members of Rainbow Wedding Network are finding pro-active ways to offer support.

One of our longtime allies, Rev. Marian Hale with All Ceremonies Beautifully Done! has come forward with the following announcement:

"During 2017, I have several same sex weddings booked -- and I have made this offer to all of them as I will to any couple who wishes me to officiate their upcoming wedding...

To get your license paperwork taken care of, I will marry an LGBTQ couple any time NOW -- at a Starbucks, or in your home, or in my home. Then we will celebrate together with your big ceremony next year for family and friends. No fee for this, it's just part of your wedding!  Let's not take a chance on whatever actions Pence and his like might be planning! Just do it!!!

Blessings to all."
 
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Rev. Marian is based in the Chicago area, and she invites any couple who is seeking an officiant to reach out to her with questions.  She has actively supported the LGBTQ community for decades!
 
Rev. Marian, All Ceremonies Beautifully Done    phone 847-491-0603     www.RevMarian.com
 
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Other wedding professionals and LGBTQ advocates are finding similar ways to support the community.  It is heartening, and I invite us all to extend thanks whenever possible:  Throughout the next few years, it will become that much more important for those of us who are like-minded, with regard to true equality, to uplift and inspire one another!