LoginThe podcast is certainly worth a listen, but in preparation, you MUST read this tender and thought-provoking article, courtesy Dallas News:
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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Courtesy The Washington Post:
They lived as a gay couple in Mississippi for 20 years. The worst indignity came in death, lawsuit says.
They say this newly proposed legislation won't pass, but... once again it gives cause for the LGBTQ community to feel like our rights are a ping pong ball that politicians play with:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/north-carolina-lawmakers-seek-ban-gay-marriage-180391/
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(NEW YORK) – Jackie Evancho may have sung at the inauguration, but when President Donald Trump rescinded Obama-era protections for transgender people, she changed her tune.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?
We 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!
Disney Movies’ First Ever ‘Exclusively Gay Moment’ In New ‘Beauty and the Beast’ - The film is set for release in theaters on St Patty's Day!!
Found this fun lesbian-friendly card and wanted to share! More choices available on their website... Kudos, Love Pop!
https://www.lovepopcards.com/products/willow-love-scene-same-sex-female-3d-card
It'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.
Dad Of First Male Maybelline Model Has Perfect Response To Bigoted Blogger - MUST READ!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/manny-gutierrez-homophobic-tweet_us_587e3c90e4b0aaa369429054
2016 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.
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
www.MariannePuechl.com
Image 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!
28 of History’s Most Influential Leaders You Had No Idea Were Gay
I have no doubt we'll be adding many more posts to our blog in the upcoming months regarding concerns we have for the LGBT community, now that Mr. Trump has been elected as President. It is a sobering time, to say the least.
As we all reel from this election outcome, I encourage you to give yourself time to process what's happened, grieve, gather with others who are safe and likeminded, and breathe. After that, I encourage you to find ways that are meaningful to you in which you feel you can remain active and vigilant: If we all work together, uplift one another, and find ways to continue to forward our rights as a minority in America, we will get through this period more easily and more successfully.
Take heart, you are not alone.
However... it is important to remain informed. Here is one tidbit of information. Again, it is sobering:
Trump picks anti-LGBT hate group to run domestic policy transition:
http://americablog.com/2016/11/trump-picks-anti-lgbt-hate-group-run-domestic-policy-transition.html
Marianne & Cindy, the founders of RainbowWeddingNetwork.com, adopted their daughter ten years ago, and are now in the process of adopting once again through open adoption. Marianne recently posted this article to their agency's blog, and we thought it fitting to share here as well.
Enjoy the article! And thank you for spreading the word that these two great moms are searching for their next precious baby :)
http://www.adoptionhelp.org/blog/