Photo: Ashley LaPrade Photography
We won marriage equality on a federal level in 2015, and the exciting momentum for equality that had been generating for years prior seemed to suddenly fall flat. We won, what more is there to do? Answer: so much.
Speaking directly to the wedding industry, LGBTQ+ discrimination still runs rampant as couples are denied services for who they are and/or love (which businesses can still legally do in 30 states). And so many pros unintentionally turn off LGBTQ+ couples by the language they use and imagery they share in their marketing.
Photo: Peterson Design & Photography
And for those who do feel they’ve done the work (yay!), there is still always something to learn. As advocates, we must continue to pursue equitable standards of existing for queer people across cultures, and acquire new resources to support and uphold those standards. Language evolves, traditions evolve, and it is our job to educate ourselves on it.
Photo: Peterson Design & Photography
This need for continued education and conversation led to the creation of the National Gay Wedding Association, to be an official guide for the wedding industry, and the NGWA’s first official conference, The Inclusive Awareness Conference, plans to do just that.
On January 5, top thought-leaders in the inclusive wedding space will be leading virtual presentations and conversations to help elevate your wedding business by incorporating an inclusive mindset and practices.
Hosted by wedding planner Holly Gray of Anything but Gray Events, who will be bringing her dynamic energy to guide our guests through virtual presentations by keynote speakers include Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, Sara Cunningham (of Free Mom Hugs) and Brian Green, plus sessions led by top industry speakers such as Jove Meyer, Tara Melvin, Jose Rolon, Meghan Ely, Kirsten Palladino, Kelly Balch, Bron Hansboro and more. And the newly engaged actor Jonathan Bennett and his fiancé Jaymes Vaughan will be taking the virtual stage in an authentic presentation sharing their own experiences navigating wedding planning as an LGBTQ+ couple. Of course, a friend of Wedding Chicks is a friend of ours! Use discount code WC2021 for a special pricing bundle to join our membership AND get a 2022 conference ticket for just $395.
Is there any better way to kick off 2022 than with like-minded industry friends, learning from the best in the biz? Secure your tickets now — this is an event you won’t want to miss.