• Click to edit Master text styles – Second level – Third level • Fourth level – Fifth level
Cean One Photography
BEFORE ‘How marketing to same-sex couples can help your business’ Karen Loudon Photography
NOW ‘How neglecting same-sex couples can hurt your business’ & ‘It’s not enough just to be gay-friendly, you must also be gay wedding competent’ Jason Kaczorowsky Photography
EVENTUALLY‌ One big, happy mainstream market which recognizes and embraces diverse expression of love & commitment Red Stone Photography
THE MODERN COUPLE • Prospective clients are savvy • Prospective clients have choice • Prospective clients have a variety of planning needs
BEYOND GAY-FRIENDLY • Click to edit Master text styles – Second level – Third level • Fourth level – Fifth level
Kristin Chalmers Photography
To Be ‘Gay Wedding Competent’ • Click to edit Master text styles • Understand who the – Second level LGBTQ community is – Third level • Fourth level – Fifth level
• Understand what LGBTQ couples need • Understand how the evolving legal landscape impacts our choices
Jimmy Ho Photography
WHO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
THE ‘LGBTQ’ COMMUNITY IS…
And…
Weddings To The People
A diverse group, • with diverse identities, • diverse perspectives, • and diverse needs.
THE ‘LGBTQ’ COMMUNITY IS… • Is a group that still ranges from those who have lived closeted lives to those who have not, • those who have supportive family members and those who do not, …and somewhere in between.
Amy Zumwalt Photography
WHAT DO COUPLES NEED?
“Weddings are changing and photography education needs to change, too.” – Thea Dodds
MAKE IT A DOUBLE Yes, two brides may mean two bouquets, which may in turn mean a double bouquet toss. A lesbian wedding might also have two garters. A gay wedding, two cigars. None of these things may be true either. Hudson River Photographer
Best practice? Don’t Assume. Ask.
DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION • A same-sex kiss displayed in public can be powerful and meaningful as symbol and reality. • But some couples may be less comfortable with PDA than less marginalized couples Leslie Barbaro Photography
Best practice? Don’t Assume. Ask, Prepare & Protect
NO GOWN? NO PROBLEM! • A wedding without a gown means two suits – and two grooms – can enjoy royal treatment. • Be mindful that some men might need more support because they haven’t been raised expecting to be a star in their own weddings Jen Lynne Photography
Best practice? Don’t Assume. Ask & Innovate
FAMILY • Be mindful of the role of the CHOSEN & BIOLOGICAL family members of your couple • Be aware that some have supportive family, some have conflicted family, some have no family support. Dawn E Roscoe Photography
Best practice? Don’t Assume. Ask.
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE Same-sex marriage is now legal in 14 jurisdictions in the U.S., including: Massachusetts (2004) ● Connecticut (2009) ● Iowa (2009) ● Vermont (2009) ● New Hampshire (2010) ● District of Columbia (2010) ●
Cean One Photography
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE …and New York (2011) ● Maine (2012) ● Maryland (2012) ● Washington (2012) ● Rhode Island (2013) ● Delaware (2013) ● Minnesota (2013) ● California (2013) ●
Andi Grant Photography
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE Marriage ‘Lite’ or Civil Unions, currently recognized in:
1. 2. 3. 4.
New Jersey (2007) Illinois (2011) Hawaii (2011) Colorado (2013) Purple Apple Studios
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE Broad domestic partnership rights are currently recognized in:
1. Oregon 2. Nevada
Diana Rothery Photography
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE What the SCOTUS ruling on DOMA means: •Same-sex couples who are legally married in their home states will be entitled to receive all federal benefits available to straight married couples. •What this means for couples who are not in those 13 states and Washington DC is unclear.
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE
Markets to watch: •California –Our site traffic from CA spiked by 363% in the two weeks following the Prop 8 ruling. US traffic spiked by 79%.
•States where same-sex marriage is legal –Couples who were waiting for full recognition now will marry.
THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE Markets to watch: •States where it could be legal: NJ, HI, IL, OR & CO, NV –Gay marriage advocacy groups will work for marriage there in the coming 1-2 years.
•“See what sticks” -- VA, OH, PA –Suing for recognition or proceeding anyway
To Be ‘Gay Wedding Competent’ • Click to edit Master text styles • Understand who the – Second level LGBTQ community is – Third level • Fourth level – Fifth level
• Understand what LGBTQ couples need • Understand how the evolving legal landscape impacts our choices
Jimmy Ho Photography
WEDDINGS REIMAGINED Thinking differently about serving samesex couples will help you to better serve ALL couples!
Andrea Flanagan Photography
Maggie Winters Photography
Four (Annual) Chores • Click to edit Master text styles • Educate yourself – Second level – Third level • Fourth level – Fifth level
• Evaluate your coffee table • Update your first impression • Expand & vet your network Ars Magna Studio
THANK YOU! Stay in touch!
kathryn@gayweddings.com Facebook: /gayweddings.since1999 Twitter: @gayweddingscom
www.CapturingLoveGuide.com