Does it really serve us as a minority, to include this many letters in naming our minority? At some point, it outdoes the intention of being inclusive and instead only serves to confuse whatever issue it is we're trying to focus on.
How can people outside our community actually consider the implications of marriage equality, when they are spending time trying to decipher what 'LBGTTIQQ2SA' actually stands for? Can they take our point of view seriously, when stumbling over what we call ourselves is really what most draws their attention?
Since we began RainbowWeddingNetwork 14 years ago, we have noticed how a lack of cohesiveness within our minority has dampened our efforts toward equality. Perhaps this lack of cohesiveness is still being reflected in that long litany of letters...
Yes, naming ourselves is very important indeed. But it can't be done at the expense of clarity & meaning.
“Proudly Say I DO CRUISE during Gay Pride NYC” - EXCITING event coming up this summer!! Say your vows and celebrate aboard an elegant yacht in the waters off Manhattan. Your wedding, with style!
"It was such a genuine pleasure meeting you and experiencing the Expo at the Grand in Baltimore!
Truly a great and lovely affair that had direct impact on our property. I highly recommend this event to exhibit. Multiple qualified leads!
You and RainbowWeddingNetwork were wonderful to work with, professional and provided a quality environment conducive to creating business opportunities. There are many tradeshows or expositions for the bridal market and your LGBT Wedding Expo exceeded the others with a great partnership."
Dawn Puliti Senior Outside Sales
Direct (410) 554 7579 | Fax (410) 366 6734 | Mobile (443) 413 0658
Inn at the Colonnade Baltimore, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Really a very good article - a reminder about how swiftly change really has happened with regard to marriage rights. Has overtones, obviously, for other progress we'd like to see in the near future!
Oftentimes, couples (and sometimes first-time exhibitors) reach out to ask what they can expect at one of our LGBT Wedding Expos. This story by Voice of America does offer a nice overview of our recent event in Baltimore. As you'll see, you'll get an idea of what vendors are bringing in, how the other couples are making use of the resources available, and the general atmosphere we create at the events. Check out our full expo calendar for upcoming dates near you!
Spend a few minutes with Jeff & Jeremiah - this surprise marriage proposal will definitely warm your heart this Holiday Season! ENJOY, and BEST WISHES to the HAPPY COUPLE!!
New Documentary! Hawaiian Values Differ From Western Traditions...
IN A WORLD THAT PUNISHES GENDER NONCONFORMITY, IMAGINE A PLACE WHERE A LITTLE BOY CAN GROW UP TO BE THE WOMAN OF HIS DREAMS, AND A LITTLE GIRL CAN RISE TO BECOME A LEADER OF YOUNG MEN. WELCOME TO KUMU HINA'S HAWAI'I. A new documentary by Emmy Award-winning directors Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson produced in association with Pacific Islanders in Communications and ITVS.
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Words From the Directors...
Just two years ago, we began the making of KUMU HINA, a film about Hina Wong-Kalu, an extraordinary Native Hawaiian teacher, or kumu, and cultural leader who happens to be mahu, the Hawaiian term for those who embrace both masculine and feminine traits.
The experience was magical, capturing the ups and downs of Hinaʻs first-year of marriage to an unpredictable Tongan man and her inspiring mentorship of a young girl whose dream was to lead their schoolʻs all-male hula troupe.
The result is a provocative and inspiring glimpse of a Hawai'i rarely seen by outsiders, and a land in which there is unconditional acceptance and respect for all -- what Kumu Hina calls "the true meaning of aloha."
As the filmʻs 2014 world premiere approaches (to be announced soon), weʻre also getting ready to launch a dynamic engagement campaign to share Kumu Hinaʻs message with the world!
A hint of just how powerful this experience will be occurred over the past few weeks amidst Hawai'i's contentious debate over marriage equality.
As opponents and supporters fought tooth and nail, Kumu Hina published an Op-Ed in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that profoundly changed the discourse. Rather than make arguments from a Western mindset, she offered an historical perspective on gender and sexuality in Hawai'i that opened the door to what State Senator Gil Kahele called in an extraordinary speech on the Senate floor, "a full and honest renaissance of pre-Christian Hawai'iʻs history."
As the legislative battle continued, Kumu Hina became a prominent symbol of hope, and helped position Hawaiian culture as the guiding force for progress and unity in the islands. Upon passage of the Marriage Equality Act, Gov. Neil Abercrombie invited her to deliver the opening chant at the Signing Ceremony, where there was not a dry eye in the house.
A few highlights from these events are included here, a sign of whatʻs to come with the KUMU HINA film and campaign in the year ahead. We hope youʻll join us on the journey.
With aloha,
Joe Wilson & Dean Hamer, KUMU HINA Producers/Directors
Qwaves Films | P.O. Box 688 | Haleiwa, HI 96712 t: 808-629-9864 e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://KumuHina.tumblr.com
Being the co-founder of RainbowWeddingNetwork.com, I have had the opportunity to write in many different styles and capacities. From administrative documents, to articles for RainbowWeddingNetwork Magazine, even the non-fiction book "My Dangerous Commute" which outlines our experiences this past 13 years in the LGBT Wedding Industry.
However, writing fiction is my forte, and my passion. So I have to share that I've recently self-published one of my novels, entitled "The Locket." I invite you to check out my website for further info, and to consider downloading the book or purchasing a print copy.
One of the reasons I mention it, is because the main character, Abbey Taft, happens to be bisexual. How many works of literature can we think of in which this is the case?
Over the years, I have found it obvious that there are many important paths to a higher degree of legitimization for our minority in modern American culture. These include depictions of LGBT characters on television shows, endorsement of LGBT issues by popular celebrities and political figures, musicians and sports figures coming out as gay or lesbian... etc. And of course it includes serious works of literature that also depict LGBT characters.
So again, please check out my website for further info. I think you'll enjoy the book!
I remember being made fun of as a young teen, because of how masculine I was. Many people couldn't even figure out if I was a boy or a girl, and that really threw them for a loop; often to heated anger. A strange thing. There were many reasons I seemed so boyish, and some of them had to do with the fact that later I realized I'm bisexual... but mostly the fact was that the way I presented myself was right for me. It was who I was; it was how I wanted to wear my hair/my clothes and how I wanted to behave. I didn't understand why people had to categorize themselves as male or female, masculine or feminine. I honestly thought that it was best for us just to express ourselves honestly, as long as that didn't interfere with anyone else's self-expression.
Well, I'm reminded of this in part because of the recent press release I received. Thought I would share. I believe you can visit the website and get involved with the project, if you'd like. All the best to everyone, with your own coming out journeys, and your own ongoing quest for authentic self-expression.
One of his projects with Champlain film students is a web site/turned documentary called “The Worst Thing About Coming Out,” stories of gay, lesbian and trans individuals of all ages about their decision to come out and how they felt about it
http://www.worstthingaboutcomingout.com/. On Friday, Oct. 11, which is National Coming Out Day, a documentary Rob and students made about the project will premiere at the Vermont International Film Festival. I have students who were involved who could be interviewed. Below is more info:
On Friday, 11 October, National Coming Out Day, there will be a panel discussion on identity:
SELF IDENTITY + "HOME:" Our Selves in Community. "To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." William Shakespeare and the official premier of the documentary, "The Worst Thing About Coming Out." Both events are part of the Vermont International Film Festival and on the festival's opening day. They are free.
Screening 2:30 pm
Panel Discussion 3:30 pm
at Film House
Third Floor of the Lake and College Building, at Sixty Lake Street, in Burlington, Vermont
Dr. Ame Lambert and Eric Ronis of Champlain College, and Dr. Kim Fountain of RU12, will sit on the panel along with guests from the documentary and other community representatives.
TWO SPIRITS, ONE HEART A Mother, Her Transgender Son, and Their Journey to Love and Acceptance
A memoir by: Marsha Aizumi with Aiden Aizumi
“Marsha shares her journey from fear and uncertainty to acceptance, support, and unconditional love of Aiden as he reconciled his gender identity…I recommend their co-written memoir Two Spirits, One Heart.”—George Takei
In the first book of its kind, mother, educator, and LGBT activist Marsha Aizumi shares her compelling story of parenting a young woman who came out as a lesbian, then transitioned to male. Two Spirits, One Heart chronicles Marsha's personal journey from fear, uncertainty, and sadness to eventual unconditional love, acceptance, and support of her child who struggled to reconcile his gender identity. Told with honesty and warmth, this book is a must-read for parents and loved ones of LGBT individuals everywhere.
“I love this book so much,” says Magnus Books editorial director Don Weise. “When I first read the Two Spirits, One Heart, I was struck immediately by Marsha’s honesty and unconditional love for her son. Despite all the challenges she saw along the way—and there were many, including some that put her to the test—her devotion to Aiden’s well being never wavered. I also saw in her book a story being told for the first time, something I’d not heard much about before even in the LGBT media. Reading this memoir, I often thought about my own mother and parents of LGBT people everywhere, how essential Marsha and Aiden’s story is for all of us to read.”
Marsha Aizumi is an educator, motivational speaker, and advocate for the LGBT community. She serves on the National Board of Directors of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). You can visit Marsha online at www.marshaaizumi.com. Aiden Takeo Aizumi is a committed activist for LGBT rights. In 2010, he was honored as a youth leader with the Paul A. Anderson award from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. He currently serves on the PFLAG National Transgender Gender Non-conforming Advisory Council. Aiden is also pursuing a bachelor's degree in education.
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“Marsha and Aiden’s moving story of confronting and overcoming fear—and of the love and deeper bond that emerge between a mother and her son because of that profound journey—shows how all families can accept each other’s humanity. I was deeply inspired by the honesty, awareness, and healing found in these pages.”
—Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
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Further info on ordering is available through the author's website:
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Being the co-founder of RainbowWeddingNetwork.com, I have had the opportunity to write in many different styles and capacities. From administrative documents, to articles for RainbowWeddingNetwork Magazine, even the non-fiction book "My Dangerous Commute" which outlines our experiences this past 13 years in the LGBT Wedding Industry.