RainbowWeddingNetwork.com's Web Log

Las Vegas Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo Sunday November 15th!

2009-11-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

Lots of enthusiasm about our upcoming first-annual LGBT Wedding Expo in Vegas! We're truly thrilled to be having the event hosted by the elegant JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Summerlin, with over 40 gay-friendly businesses exhibiting from the Wedding, Travel, Gift, Home and Family-related industries. Attendees will enjoy Free Samples, a Giveaway Bag brimming with vital new contacts, planning tips and goodies, Music, Fashion and much more!

We're proudly celebrating the recent veto-override, resulting in successful domestic partnership legislation throughout Nevada. Media interest has spiked as the event date nears, with interviews coming up with FOX News, sponsorships with QVegas, Meefers.com, GayLasVegas.com and with mentions and spotlights from Nevada Magazine, Orbitz, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and much more!

JOIN US! We anticipate a wonderfully exciting afternoon of networking, grassroots activism and joyful respect for all!

The 'Same Love, Same Rights' LGBT Wedding Expo
Sunday November 15th - 12:30-3:30pm
@ the JW Marriott in Summerlin
FREE to ATTEND!
http://www.samelovesamerights.com/

Upcoming Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expos this Fall!

2009-10-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

Our upcoming Same Love, Same Rights LGBT Wedding Expos will be in Portsmouth, NH on October 18, 2009 and in Las Vegas on November 15, 2009. JOIN US!

These exciting and unique events will spotlight dozens of screened, gay-friendly businesses: wedding, travel, gift and home-related companies will all be represented. Each couple attending will receive a free Goodie Bag brimming with fresh contacts for planning their Dream Ceremony and Honeymoon!

In New Hampshire, we'll be celebrating the upcoming enactment of full marriage rights... and in Las Vegas, the exciting recent milestone with the veto-override for domestic partnership rights.

Both events are Free to Attend!
Portsmouth, NH - Sunday 10/18/09 - 12:30-3:30pm
Las Vegas, NV - Sunday 11/15/09 - 12:30-3:30pm
For all the details: http://www.samelovesamerights.com/

3rd Annual LGBT Wedding Expo in CT!!

2009-07-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

We're so thrilled to return to Connecticut later this month, with our upcoming Same Love, Same Rights LGBT Wedding Expo. This year, we'll be much closer to central Hartford, at the Hartford Farmington Marriott. For all the details visit http://www.samelovesamerights.com/.

Can you believe this event marks our thirtieth LGBT Wedding Expo since 2003?? We are rather proud of ourselves, I must say. Truly, it's been an honor to be so integrally involved with so many couples, advocates and business professionals all across America during this important time in our nation's quest for Equal Rights.

Come out and join us in Hartford on Sunday July 26th! The Expo is FREE to attend and we'd certainly love to meet you!

Marianne Puechl, co-founder

http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/

http://www.gayweddings.us.com/

http://www.samelovesamerights.com/

http://www.rwnmagazine.com/

rwneditor@gmail.com

Ruling on Prop 8

2009-05-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

I know that today's ruling by the CA Supreme Court is disheartening. Many of us, within the LGBT community, feel outraged or sorely saddened. Many other emotions spin. All of them are valid, without question.

I would like to posit, however, that despite this wash of emotions and the prospect of another round of lawsuits ahead of us... Our Minority is NOT defeated.

In fact, there are many great strides taking place in our country at this time. Let us keep in mind recent legislation in Iowa, the thrill of the decision in Vermont... the consideration of same-sex marriage rights coming to a vote in New York State. And this is just to name a few highlights.

Perhaps it will serve us well to realize the gift that the conservatives have given to our community, by continuing to fight so hard against our access to equal rights: They have brought the issue of marriage equality, for example, to the forefront. And for the first time in many decades, our minority is becoming more cohesive; we have claimed a vision of Equality as our own... we are working together to achieve that goal.

Let's keep this opportunity in mind. We all know that Equality is one of the foundations of our nation, and that right is on our side. We WILL achieve equal rights and equal recognition. We simply must continue to claim them as our own, and put forth the cohesive effort to exact these tenets into law.

Marianne Puechl, co-founder
The RainbowWeddingNetwork Family
rwneditor@gmail.com

Upcoming Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expos

2009-04-09T07:10:00.001-07:00

Our 2009 Same Love, Same Rights LGBT Wedding Expo Calendar is shaping up! Join us in Chicago on Sunday April 26, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza... or Saturday May 2nd in Detroit aboard the Infinity & Ovation docked at Jefferson Beach Marina in St. Clair Shores.

Each event will spotlight 30-50 gay-friendly Wedding, Travel and Home-related Companies, plus free Samples, Planning Tips, Music and Giveaways. We've produced over 25 such Expos across the nation since 2003, and they always turn out to be a wonderful experience, filled with chance meetings, respectfulness & joy, and the opportunity to network with others who truly believe in equal marriage and family rights for the gay and lesbian community.

Other upcoming Expos are planned for MA/RI on May 31st,

and plans are in the works for an event in Iowa, possibly CT and Washington DC!

For all the details, visit: http://www.samelovesamerights.com/

Proposition 8 - The Latest Chapter

2009-03-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

The Supreme Court in California has now heard their arguments regarding the possibility of overturning Proposition 8... According to insiders, the 'prognosis' isn't good, at least not for those of us who are hoping for the re-instatement of same-sex marriage equality in the Golden State. However, the Hope & Vision within the LGBT minority remains strong: we know without a doubt that, inevitably, equality will apply to us too. Time may be required; a generational shift may be required... but it is going to happen.

I am attaching a link to the blog of Kate Kendall - if you do not yet know who she is, I suggest taking time to get to know about her work. She is a pioneer, an activist and a patriot, and deserves our collective attention as well as our support. View her blog for more info:

http://www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=blog_katesBlog

Also, please consider joining me in donating to the National Center for Lesbian Rights: it has been their efforts that have made the headlines in California this past year. Each of us, throughout the nation, owes this organization our thanks. Here at Same Love, Same Rights and RainbowWeddingNetwork Magazine, we've offered an easy win-win fundraising opportunity: Purchase a $5 Same Love, Same Rights lapel pin... or a subscription to the nation's first-ever LGBT Wedding Magazine, and 15-20% will be contributed to the NCLR.
www.SameLoveSameRights.com
www.RainbowWeddingNetworkMagazine.com

(Why only 15-20%, you may ask?... Our company is covering the production and shipping costs - we are donating all our profits on each sale to NCLR, but because we too work on behalf of Equality, we are retaining the base production cost on each item for our own use.)

THANK YOU for your own ongoing efforts on behalf of Marriage, Family and Adoption Rights for the LGBT community! As each of us continues everyday to live our vision of Equality, we do our part to bring that vision into being. Feel free to email me anytime with your comments; I look forward to hearing from you!

Marianne Puechl, co-founder
www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com
www.GayWeddings.us.com
www.RainbowWeddingNetworkMagazine.com
www.SameLoveSameRights.com
rwneditor@gmail.com

Has the word Marriage become a branded word by the Conservatives?

2009-01-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

“Marriage”- what does this word mean to most Americans and what image pops up in their minds when they think of this word? Have the conservatives been successful in branding this word to their particular ideas and political agenda?

With the tactics that were used to pass Prop 8, we were quick to learn that the conservatives wanted to brand the word Marriage to include fear, limitation and brutal misconceptions about the gay community. From their print ads and television commercials, conservatives injected an image that gay marriage would mean the tragic loss of their brand of “Marriage.” More than that, their message set out to convince voters that the loss of their definition of “Marriage” would surely lead to utter anarchy and ruin for our entire society.

What a HUGE statement!

In my opinion, the American conservative movement has absolutely been successful in convincing the general public that bringing equal marriage rights to the gay minority = the ruin of our nation.

Does the average LGBT citizen realize just how expansive a task lies ahead? Realistically, how do we turn this around and instead brand our own vision of “Marriage” to the voting public, so as to avoid another Prop 8 or worse – the continuing ripple effect that Prop 8 could potentially create?

First and most important, our community must decide together on a simple and concise meaning for our definition of “Marriage.” We must focus on a clear image of the word that embodies our own political agenda: Equality. And truly, a greater degree of Equality in our nation will only serve to bring the exact opposite of anarchy… instead it will serve to bring a stronger foundation of freedom and happiness for all our people.

So how do we spread our message?

Here at Same Love, Same Rights our goal has always been to bring the community together for successful dialogue. We began Same Love, Same Rights three years ago to help bring the tools to our community so that we could indeed become more cohesive and rally around a central message. In fact, at that time we proposed a Gay Marriage Summit, inviting all the political and marriage rights organizations within the nation to join for one weekend to shape an effective and targeted campaign for equal rights in marriage, to find one cohesive voice to use not only to fight anti-gay amendments but to shape and brand our ideal (and non-threatening) meaning of “Marriage” to the public. This was three years ago, and I’m sad to report that not one LGBT equality organization replied to any of our invitations. Not one.

Their reasoning? We’re not sure. …They are too busy. They do not take us seriously, as our parent company is RainbowWeddingNetwork.com which has been in existence now nearly a decade but is a for-profit company and that fact, unfortunately, has been scoffed at by such equality organizations. (They are willing to accept sponsorships and cash donations from other, straight-owned, for-profit corporations, but unwilling to sit at a conference table proposed by us – a very small lesbian-owned company working daily on behalf of the gay community. Hmm.) Or, more probably, there is another reason.

I invite you to ask why. In your own town, with your own voice, week after week… Pose your questions! And at the same time, make use of our Forum, visit one of our Wedding Expos or utilize our other resources to communicate with likeminded LGBT citizens and advocates so that, at a grassroots level, we as individuals can decide the course of our journey to Equality.
It is, after all, our own individual responsibility. We must take the initiative and commit to promoting our own worth and our own human rights.

I look forward to reading your posts. Let us know your thoughts on the subject, as well as the actions you are planning to undertake in 2009 to move our cause forward. Visit our Forum on http://www.samelovesamerights.com/, or share your inspired Art Work in our Photo Gallery.

Thank You.
Cindy Sproul, co-founder

http://www.samelovesamerights.com/
http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/
http://www.gayweddings.us.com/
http://www.rainbowweddingnetworkmagazine.com/

Were you a Victim of Prop 8? Take the Survey…

2008-11-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

Were you a Victim of Prop 8? Take the Survey…

Hello from Rainbow Wedding Network...Were you and your partner a victim of Prop 8? Did you travel to California from another state to obtain a marriage license?

Take this survey so we can tell real stories of the LGBTQi community and our quest for Equal Rights in Marriage.

Also, after the survey visit www.SameLoveSameRights.com and sign the Commitment Petition. Send in a photo of your family to share in the Commitment Photo Album to help put a face to same-gender marriage.

Help us survey the LGBTQi community by sending this email to your friends or add this survey link to your myspace or facebook page and twitter your friends so they can take part. By standing together we CAN make a difference!

Here is the Survey Link…

http://www.surveyconsole.com/console/TakeSurvey?id=526185

Valentine’s in November!! Rainbow Wedding Network’s New Look

2008-11-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

Rainbow Wedding Network
Amanda Hager, correspondent
(866) 251-1564
http://www.SameLoveSameRights.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2008

Valentine’s in November!! Rainbow Wedding Network’s New Look

November 14th Brings a Fresh Look for America’s Most Popular Online Gay Wedding Resource!

The national web resource, RainbowWeddingNetwork.com, announces a vast update to its website as of November 14, 2008. An array of interactive features will be offered to site users, including social networking for couples in the planning stages, engagement announcements, and a zip code search for screened gay-friendly businesses within an active online Directory of over 5000 members. High graphic appeal and fresh content focused on GLBTQ wedding trends and legislative highlights will polish the new look. Most features will be free for site users.

The elections may have been disheartening with regard to Proposition 8 in California, bans on gay marriage in Florida and Arizona and a ban on adoption for same-sex couples in Arkansas... but RainbowWeddingNetwork.com continues to provide important legitimization for couples all across the nation and by offering a directory of screened gay friendly businesses that support marriage equality. The company (RWN) was originally launched in 2000, designed to offer the nation’s first-ever Wedding Gift Registry for the LGBTQ community. The lesbian-owned website soon expanded to include the most extensive Directory on the web of screened, gay-friendly businesses of all kinds, primarily wedding, travel, family and home-related; today the RWN directory boasts over 5000 businesses!

Fresh Look to RWN on November 14th! Check out these exciting new Features!

• Free Customized Couples’ Web Pages & Photo Galleries
• Zip Code Search for Gay-friendly Businesses
• Engagement Announcements
• Couples’ Forum
• Improved Gift Registry with Options for Charitable Gift Donations
• Easy Links to GLBTQ Wedding Expos and RWN Magazine
• Tips, Trends & Helpful Articles for Ceremony Planning
• E-Invites, Save-the-Date Announcements & More!

To preview the site and to get started, visit www.gayweddings.us.com for all the information you’ll need to create your own Couples’ Web Page, Browse for Vendors, Advertise as a gay-friendly Business in the Directory, or enjoy all the other many exciting features now available.

For more information visit these exciting websites www.GayWeddings.us.com www.RainbowWeddingNetworkMagazine.com www.SameLoveSameRights.com

###

More thoughts on Prop 8

2008-11-06T10:10:00.001-08:00

America was supposedly founded on the separation of Church & State; yet the conservatives who saw to it that Proposition 8 was passed in California this week completely overlooked this. They say their concern with gay marriage is that all churches will be required to embrace the idea of same-sex marriage; this is not true. Liberal-thinking Americans WANT to keep church & state separate; therefore no church would be regulated to the point of requiring recognition of a rite its members do not believe in.

But a majority-vote in CA to restrict the rights of a minority (the gay minority) is outrageous, especially when it was subsidized by conservative groups based beyond California's borders.

The gay minority in America will coalesce and ultimately see victory with regard to equal rights in marriage and adoption. And history will record it as another chapter in America's quest for true equality for all its people. This remains a civil rights issue, not a moral one.

Election Highs, Election Woes...

2008-11-05T11:41:00.000-08:00

Of course we're thrilled about PRESIDENT-ELECT Obama!!!

Of course we're thrilled about the impact of this election for our African American brothers & sisters. ...About what it says about Americans, in general.

Of course we're thrilled about the changes in Congress and the bounty of Senate and House seats that are now Democratic.

But... What about Proposition 8 in California, bans on same-sex marriage now in Florida & Arizona and a ban on adoption for same-sex couples in Arkansas?? What about the gay minority in America and our equal rights as citizens??

Hmm. There is no one to blame but ourselves, folks. It always comes down to that fact. The conservatives (based beyond California's borders, btw) are the ones who became cohesive enough and spent enough money and got out their volunteers in order to pass Proposition 8. They are the ones that solidified their message and swung voters in their direction.

Our gay community did not.

We had advocates stand with us, such as Brad Pitt, who generously donated $100K to fight Prop 8. But where were the bullhorns and the rallies and the marches from gay celebrities and the gay masses plastered over the news in uproar over this move to further discriminate against us?? Where were the ads and the billboards promoting the realities of same-sex marriage and the dangers of further intolerance? Why did we fail?!

Certainly, great strides have been made in recent years with regard to gay rights in America. But today California's state constitution has been amended to write limitation, fear and discrimination into its lines. ...When will we, as a minority, decide that enough is enough?

I'd love to hear from you. Write me anytime with your comments and ideas. Meanwhile, check out our online forums at http://www.samelovesamerights.com/ and GET INVOLVED, GAY AMERICA!

Marianne Puechl, co-founder
http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/
http://www.samelovesamerights.com/
http://www.rainbowweddingnetworkmagazine.com/
rwneditor@gmail.com

Scientific Community Says NO to Prop 8!

2008-10-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article from San Diego today... In short it's a petition from some in the scientific community there, who say that if Proposition 8 passes and discrimination is thereby written into the CA state constitution, then many liberal thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists will choose to live elsewhere.

It's a good point! Many of these people are not gay; they are simply advocates of equal rights and believe that a state constitution should not be rewritten in order to promote discrimination toward any one minority.

Good for them!! Read on...

October 27, 2008
Dear California Friends and family,

As Entrepreneurs, Scientists, Investors and Chief Executive Officers responsible for starting several companies in San Diego, we are sending you this letter to express our concern about the potential impact of “proposition 8” on the competitiveness and attractiveness of California as a place to work and conduct business.

We urge you to vote “No on proposition 8” on November 4th, because it is critically important for all industries, and in particular for our industry. The Life Science Industry employs nearly 40,000 employees at 710 companies in San Diego County alone! Our industry is vitally important to San Diego and we cannot allow other states and countries become more appealing to our talented workforce.

If the Proposition passes, a significant number of our Life Science entrepreneurs and executives will be directly affected. If Proposition 8 passes, for the first time in California’s history, the California Constitution will be re-written to remove the rights of one group of its citizens. This Proposition will take away their rights to equality provided under the law. As a result some leaders may opt to move their businesses or spend their life in more equality friendly environments, such as Massachusetts. Furthermore, potential employees and entrepreneurs may choose to look outside of California for a location to start a company or seek employment.

As you can tell from the signature line below, numerous serial entrepreneurs, CEOs, Scientists and investors who are responsible for the creation of thousands of jobs in San Diego are supporting “No on 8”. They are joined by several prominent community and state leaders including Mayor Sanders and Governor Schwarzenegger – all friends of the Life Science community. While we understand that some may perceive this as a challenge to their individual or religious belief, we think that it is essential for life science leaders to take a stand on the side of business, just like we did for stem cell research, and not allow other states to be more competitive than California.

In today’s economy we cannot afford to lose the potential of a single job or company. If Proposition 8 should pass, we believe the Life Science industry will become less competitive to attract both companies and talented employees who may have to relinquish their rights to move to California under the amended constitution.

California has a unique concentration of extraordinary universities, teaching hospitals, research facilities, venture capital, and talent, spurred by a tradition of entrepreneurialism and equality that provides a strong foundation for Life Science companies. These strengths have brought thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments to San Diego.

As Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said “We cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Competitor states are investing billions to attract our researchers, institutions, and industries.” In today’s global competitive environment, rest assured that Massachusetts and others countries will exploit Proposition 8 to their advantage if it passes on November 4th.

We all want for San Diego to continue to be a leading region with a vibrant, diverse and healthy life science community. Equality is a critical issue for business that we represent and care about and we hope that we will be able to count on your support for a No on prop 8!

Sincerely,Life Science Leaders

Detailed article seen in today’s issue of San Diego’s Union-Tribune http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20081029-9999-1b29prop8.html

NYC Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo a Success!

2008-10-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who recently attended our Same Love, Same Rights GLBTQ Wedding Expo at the Riverside Church in Manhattan on Sunday October 19th! The event was bubbling with a diversity of attendees, advocates and allies and couples were grateful to be able to find wedding, travel and home-related businesses ready and willing to work with them with utter respect and joyfulness.

Despite ongoing concerns from vendors about the financial crunch and its impact on the wedding industry, the atmosphere for the day was upbeat, optimistic and filled with excitement given the recent legislation in New York regarding the portability of couples' married status from other states (such as Massachusetts, California and now Connecticut!)

It was an honor for the team from RainbowWeddingNetwork and Same Love, Same Rights to visit the historic Riverside Church, to meet so many wonderful people and to hear the diverse stories of couples from the immediate locale and well beyond Manhattan itself. One couple in attendance was from Sweden!

The upcoming 2009 calendar for the Same Love, Same Rights GLBTQ Wedding Expos is now in its planning stages. If you have a request for us to visit your city, let us know! We always love to hear from you-

editor@rainbowweddingnetworkmagazine.com
866.251.1564, toll-free

'Go Green' with an online subscription to RainbowWeddingNetwork Magazine and 20% will be contributed to defeat California's Proposition 8! Just $9.95 for the year! www.RainbowWeddingNetworkMagazine.com

New York City Gay Wedding Expo

2008-10-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

Same Love, Same Rights Visits New York City!

Just about one week before our Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo at the Riverside Church in Manhattan! RainbowWeddingNetwork.com and the Same Love, Same Rights team is very excited about heading back to New York this Fall, this time with a full event for the local community there.

The GLBTQ Wedding Expo will be FREE to attend, on Sunday October 19th from 1:30-4:30pm and will feature over 50 screened, gay-friendly businesses, music, samples, tips, presentations and a short fashion segment.

Sponsored in part by Marriage Equality New York, the event will be not only a celebration of same-sex marriage equality, but also a rally to bring the community together in striving for broader rights.

To view photos and video from past events, visit http://www.samelovesamerights.com/.

We look forward to meeting you in person on October 19th!

California Gay Marriage Update –

2008-09-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

From the Los Angeles Times 9/23/2008:
The campaigns for and against Proposition 8 have raised a combined $30 million, with donations given in support of the proposed ban on gay marriage running considerably ahead of those to the opposition.

So my thought when reading this article was why we would waste 30 million dollars to try to stop two people from getting married! What a waste of time, energy and financial resources. According to today’s article Proposition 8 could be the most expensive measure on social issues in history.

But the sad truth is that the conservatives have their followers so afraid that if two people of the same gender get married their own quality of life as they know it will disappear. So the financial donations are just rolling in and unfortunately the LGBTQi community is not keeping up.

This week the television ads have started running to try to frame the voters’ perspective on this issue… and now we get to wait and see if fear will override love, tolerance and acceptance.

Cindy Sproul co-founder
www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com
Rainbow Wedding Network Magazine
www.SameLoveSameRights.com

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My November Election Story…Cindy Sproul Co-Founder of Rainbow Wedding Network & the Same Love, Same Rights® Campaign

2008-09-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

My story follows the so called American Dream: Find the love of your life, your soulmate, fall in love, raise a family, live by the rules, teach your children right and wrong and how important it is to respect their fellow citizens, be a good steward of the earth and work hard and with integrity so that you can continue to fulfill that American Dream.

Well, quite happily, I can report that I’ve found my life partner. We married not once but twice, once in 2000 in the state of Georgia, which had no legal recognition, and once this past July in California, legal only in California and when we got on the plane to fly home no longer was our marriage recognized in the state of North Carolina.

My partner and I have a beautiful and thriving two year old daughter. She happens to be adopted, and we were lucky enough to be there in the hospital room watching as she came into this world. –With tears of absolute joy and awe we were there to be the first ones to cradle her in our arms.

Everyday we make the choice to alternate hours at work so one of us is always home with her, one of us is with her at the weekly storytime group to sing and dance with the other toddlers and parents. Since we are both active stay-home moms and run our full time business this means working late night hours or endless weekends and running on little sleep. But we love being parents and we love the time we spend with our daughter as a family and watching her as she grows and learns about this world of ours.

And consequently, my hope for the 2008 election is a simple one: That we elect a President who believes in my family and supports a policy of tolerance and equality, so that one day I can become my daughter’s legally recognized parent. So that, for her sake, she can be more fully protected as a child with two legal parents; so that I can enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that the same equal rights and responsibilities apply to me as apply to other parents all across this country. Currently, my partner is our daughter’s official adoptive mom - because of the current laws we had to make tough decisions on how we would execute our adoption... like who could pass for ‘not being gay’ if that came up in court.

Being a parent and having absolutely no legal rights to your child makes you look at the world a little differently.

You see I have always played by the rules, worked hard to make a good living, bought my first house at a young age, never had so much as a speeding ticket, enjoyed my passion for photography, found my life partner, got married, had a child... but if my partner is away on a trip and my daughter needs medical care I could be placed in an awkward position. Even though we have all the legal documents in order the thought still crosses my mind; there still is a very valid worry that my little girl might need me and I might be forced not to be there for her.

This is the reason why eight years ago we created RainbowWeddingNetwork.com . Well before gay marriage was in the political spotlight... and we’ve expanded to offer so much more through our company today, including the hard work we do everyday in striving for Equal Rights in Marriage thru our Same Love, Same Rights® campaign.

The time is now for all of us to come together as a community and work for Equality in Marriage and Family Rights. Everyday when I’m home with our daughter I’m filled with the joys of being a parent and, in ways, it is a constant reminder of how much harder I have to work for Equality in order to really live the American Dream. The first step of course is to make sure everyone we know is registered to vote and then make sure they go out on Election Day and take that important Action!

My partner and I, with our full-time schedules and our active toddler in tow, will without a doubt be there in November to stand in line and commit our Votes. –Rain or shine, gas prices notwithstanding, whether we feel well or not, no matter what the polls are predicting... We will cast our Votes. Please join us and commit to Making a Difference in 2008!

Cindy Sproul co-founder
www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com
Rainbow Wedding Network Magazine
www.RainbowWeddingNetworkMagazine.com
www.SameLoveSameRights.com

Raise your voice for Equality! Share you reasons for voting in November…

2008-09-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

We have less than 50 days until the November election! At the Same Love, Same Rights® campaign our focus is on the issues concerning Marriage, Adoption and Family Rights. But members of the LGBTQ community all across America vary as to their own concerns – each of us has our own reasons why the 2008 election is so very important. …And we want to hear your story!

By sharing our views and standing together, our concerns within the LGBTQ community become more cohesive and therefore can more directly impact this election. JOIN US!

Environmental Issues, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Hate Crimes Legislation, Equality in Marriage, Second-Parent Adoptions, Foreign Policy, Separation of Church and State, Education, Women’s Rights, Hate Crimes Legislation...

Upload your Story or Blog entry in our online Forum at www.SameLoveSameRights.com. You can even add a URL link to your Vlog so site visitors can view your own YouTube or IMGay.tv video! Then, keep checking the site to view other new posts – share info, get inspired and motivated. We’ll include the most compelling stories in our upcoming issue of RainbowWeddingNetwork Magazine… and we’ll send updated post data onto the candidates as November approaches.

Raise your voice for Equality! Visit www.SameLoveSameRights.com

Are you an Undecided Voter? Take the Poll...

2008-09-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

With the November elections just 57 days away and the current polls show a virtual tie for the Presidential race are you still undecided about who you will vote for?

Yes

No

Visit www.SameLoveSameRights.com and take the quick poll.

Your friends at Rainbow Wedding Network

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GO GREEN Special just $9.95 for one full year’s subscription and a $2.00 Donation will go to the Same Love, Same Rights Campaign!
Visit www.RainbowWeddingNetworkMagazine.com

Perception, Discrimination & Fear - A Reminder for Gay Voters

2008-09-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

It's true, our outlook on life and the world around us is based on our own Perception. And, whether we like to stay on top of it or not, that Perception always boils down to be our own responsibility.

I'd like to take a moment to point out one of the very important basic differences between today's Republican Party & Democratic Party. Each bases its policies and platform on the outlook it chooses to convey about human nature, our society and what's best for America.

Here's the story in a nutshell... (and yes, it may be a little oversimplified, but I want to keep this blog relatively short!) OK, if you do any reading at all, then you know that the modern conservative movement in America bases its ideals on the patriarchal system. And their idea of the 'Patriarch' is a male figure that is a strict disciplinarian, one who loves his children but doles out positive reinforcement as he sees fit. Further, the conversatives definitely believe in Good and Evil, in a very cut and dry sort of way.

-This leads to a set of policies that is based on the idea that there is a limited amount of 'goodies' to be handed down to the average people (because the patriarch/God/Universe/Earth) has a limited supply or is only willing to allow his children to have so much based on his own sentiments... Furthermore, the conservatives believe that we must fear our patriarch, because he is the one in control. And we must generally fear the evil in the world. -Well again, this is a simplified overview, but it's the basics.

Well the conservatives control the Republican Party right now, so -and if you watched the Republican National Convention then you know this is true- the Republicans today base their platform and policy-making on the concepts of: LIMITATION, FEAR and a SINGLE LEADER
(preferably with male qualities, yes - even Gov Palin qualifies!)

Hmmm...

John McCain and others of his party love to flaunt the fact that they belong to the party of Abraham Lincoln. Not so true. Time has passed, Republicanism in America has changed drastically.

That leads us to the dogma & Perceptions of the Democratic Party. Again, in a nutshell... Today's more liberal thinkers may believe in a God -perhaps even one with male qualities- but they do not believe that he is a patriarch. They believe in that father-figure who loves and supports his children in a way that allows them to grow to believe in themselves, reach for their own potential, and he feels that his role as disciplinarian is so that he can instill in his children the successful skills they will need to function in society and live a fulfilling and productive life. The liberals today also continue to believe that others around them may not believe the very same thing: that old division of 'Church & State' which was once so important here in the United States...

Now if you watched any of the Democratic National Convention a couple weeks ago, then you know that the Democrats spoke from a very different place than the Republicans. The Democrats today base their platform and policy-making on far different ideals: OPTIMISM, COOPERATION, MEETING COMMON GROUND. They do not believe in giving hand-outs to those unwilling to pull their own weight, but they do believe that every human wants to live a fulfilling and productive life, and sometimes each of us needs a little help in order to do that. ...Therefore the ideas behind modernized HEALTHCARE and EQUAL EDUCATION for all AMERICANS.

As I said, Perception has much to do with everything about our daily lives. I urge you to consider what your daily life presents for you when you wake up in the morning and roll out of bed with an attitude of Limitation and Fear. -And how does it feel to wake up and greet the day with an attitude of Optimism, Self-Empowerment and Commonality?

America does have the tools and opportunities in place so that it can be a very different place for each of us in the years ahead. Let's make that choice in November!!

Marianne Puechl, co-founder and senior editor
http://www.rainbowweddingnetworkmagazine.com/

http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/
http://www.samelovesamerights.com/
866.251.1564
rwneditor@gmail.com

29% of Democratic Voters Say NO to Legal Recognition of Same Gender Marriage

2008-09-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

On Monday the New York Times and CBS released a poll that asked Republicans and Democrats their views on many issues. Along with how they approved of President Bush’s handling of his job as President to the national economy and the environment they also asked, ‘Should gay couples be allowed to marry legally, be allowed to form civil unions, or should there be no legal recognition?’

To my amazement 29% of Democratic voters said NO to legal recognition. How can we be 60 days from the November elections and yet we have done such an incomplete job in educating society - or at least the Democratic Party - about the issues concerning equal rights in marriage??

Here at Rainbow Wedding Network we work everyday to provide the largest LGBT wedding resource and over the past 8 years we have seen and heard almost everything in regard to this hot button topic. From having to move our office and home a couple of times to stay one step ahead of the death threats and enduring the pile of hate mail and hate email; to speaking with couples while they tell us about their nightmare of experiencing discrimination when it came time to hire businesses to provide services for their wedding day. All along this journey we would justify the discrimination and threats as coming from the far, far right conservative movement.

But from the poll numbers of 57% of Republican Voters and 29% of Democratic Voters, we still see today that in their opinion we deserve NO recognition! -That is nearly 1 in every 3 Democrats!

Once again I find myself wanting to jump on my soapbox and tell the community to get up off that couch and out of those suburbs and find their voice about this important issue. Have you noticed that gay marriage is not talked about on the Presidential campaign trail? Well, we have not decided that it is important enough for us to demand that our candidate makes a choice to support us as a community and as a minority. Obviously, we are not claiming our own identity as a powerful minority in this country, and that is our own failing... not the failing of those 29% or 57% of other voters out there...

While I could find myself ranting about the LGBT community being complacent I will just simply leave you with the numbers and you can digest them for yourself.

Here is the polling question:

Should gay couples be allowed to marry legally, be allowed to form civil unions, or should there be no legal recognition?

Republican Voters: Marry – 11% Civil Unions – 28% No Recognition – 57%
Democratic Voters: Marry – 49% Civil Unions – 19% No Recognition – 29%

Are you ready to Make a Difference but don’t know how to get started?

Visit us on http://www.samelovesamerights.com/ and leave us your thoughts, forward this message to your friends, add a Same Love, Same Rights web banner on your myspace page. We look forward to having you join us on this journey.

Cindy Sproul co-owner
http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/
Rainbow Wedding Network Magazine
http://www.samelovesamerights.com/

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GO GREEN Special just $9.95 for one full year’s subscription and a $2.00 Donation will go to the Same Love, Same Rights Campaign!
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How many LGBTQi Citizens are there in the U.S.? Be Counted in the Survey!

2008-08-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the 2000 census estimates that gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens only make up 1.51 % of the population? Which translates into 4,300,000 people in the U.S.

We believe there are more of us then the numbers reflect ~ so help us as we compile the correct number of LGBTQi citizens by taking this quick survey.

This survey is provided by www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com & Rainbow Wedding Network Magazine.

Rainbow Wedding Network Magazine will print the results of this survey in the upcoming issue due out in November!

Simply click on the link below…
http://www.surveyconsole.com/console/TakeSurvey?id=502467

Honoring a Lesbian Rights Activist…

2008-08-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday we learned of the passing of Del Martin- as an out lesbian I took a moment this morning and said a little word of thanks to her and her partner of 55 years Phyllis Lyon for paving the way for all of us in the LGBT community.

In 1953, homosexuality was illegal in most states and it was still many years before the Stonewall Riots would take place. …Imagine a world where being homosexual was against the law, raids on gay bars or gathering places were frequent and expected!
Being an out lesbian or gay man in your work place, with your friends or family was unheard of and very dangerous. This was the atmosphere when Del and Phyllis became activists for the lesbian community. The list of their accomplishments is so long and they made such a profound impact on everyday equality; they fought for rights that the LGBT community now enjoys and unfortunately sometimes takes for granted.

Imagine in 1956 being one of the eight founders of Daughters of Bilitis, America's first lesbian rights group… and in the 1960’s leading the way to have the American Psychiatric Association take homosexuality off its list of mental disorders. This amazing couple continued working on behalf of the community throughout the decades, being the first couple to be officially married in California not once but twice by Mayor Newsom.

So how can we pay tribute to such an incredible woman and to this incredible couple? We should never forget that we have many of the freedoms we enjoy today because they risked so much in a time when it would have been easier to sit back in the shadows and let someone else take the lead for equality. It’s now our turn to pave the way for the next generation within the LGBT community and continue to work for equal rights in marriage for all same-sex couples and live our lives as out and active members of the community. …To not just sit idly by and wait for others in the community to take the lead, to do our part big or small, to volunteer, to donate, to vote. It’s 2008, it’s time for all 19 million of us to stand up and say ‘Enough is enough!’ and that we demand equal rights in marriage and we will do the hard work necessary to make equality a reality.

One day I had hoped to meet these courageous women and to say thank you… So today I say Thank You to Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon! Thank you for never giving up on Equality and never giving up on us the generations that follow you and for believing that change can happen. Because of your hard work and determination today I live a life as an out and active lesbian with my wonderful partner and our beautiful daughter and we live in a world that was paved by your bravery and accomplishments!

Now it’s our turn…how will YOU Make a Difference?

Cindy Sproul co-owner
www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com
Rainbow Wedding Network Magazine
Same Love, Same Rights Campaign

GO GREEN with RAINBOW WEDDING NETWORK MAGAZINE
Subscribe today to the Nation’s First-Ever Gay & Lesbian Wedding Magazine!
GO GREEN Special just $9.95 for one full year’s subscription and a $2.00 Donation will go to the Same Love, Same Rights Campaign!
Visit www.RainbowWeddingNetworkMagazine.com

Talking to your family and friends about Voting!!

2008-08-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Recently I had an amazing birthday party. I invited over all of my closes friends, set out food, planned the music selection, and created a survey. I wanted to know how many of my friends are registered to vote and who will actually be voting this November.

The results were interesting. I found out that all of my friends are registered to vote. I find that very exciting. Everyone should vote! The disappointing part was finding out that two of my friends, although they are registered to vote, won’t be voting this November.

One said “she just was too uninformed and indecisive.” This is our next President we are voting for! This is very important. She needs to be getting informed. She needs to take the time and do the research on both the candidates. Many, many generations will be studying this election for years to come. We had our first female presidential candidate run as well as our first African American presidential candidate. We are making history, why wouldn’t someone want to be a part of that?

The second friend said she wasn’t voting “because they all suck.” Well on that statement alone I could go on for ever, but I will make this short. Even if you don’t like any of the nominees, who do you feel will do less damage to the country? That to me seems like a lazy cop out. By not voting at all, you may be handing the election to the candidate that will hurt our country in many was. Do research; figure out which one is closer to your views. Then you will be able to say “yes I voted; I made a difference.”

I will be having a few follow up conversations with these friends to tell them all the important reasons to vote. We should all be able to talk to our family and friends about voting. I did this survey in the middle of my birthday party. -It is that important to me. I want people to talk about their views and discuss different things that they learned. It’s not about convincing them to vote for the person I like the most; it’s about convincing them to VOTE! We as a society should be able to talk to our family and friends about voting.

There are many simple things you can do to talk about it. I picked my birthday because I would have everyone in the same room. You can throw a cook-out; you could have a game night with your friends, or plan a picnic. It’s a great way to be able to spend time with your friends and talk about voting in a non-threatening environment. You want to present it casually. “I was just curious” is always a good statement. Then your friends won’t go to a defensive place on the subject and you can have an open and honest conversation.

So the next time you and your friends get together, remember to talk to them. You may be surprised to hear what they have to say.

Amanda Hager, Community Outreach Coordinator and Senior Admin
www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com

Action Alert LGBTQi Community…

2008-08-22T15:25:00.000-07:00

Action Alert LGBTQi Community…

As you may have read today The Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon has recently passes a law that they would recognize same-sex marriage.
How exciting to see the first Native American Tribe embrace equal rights in marriage so we are asking that you take a moment and send The Coquille Indian Tribe leaders an email to show our support for their decision.

As you may know the Rainbow Wedding Network team uploads a daily VLOG on http://www.imgay.tv/ and today we were discussing how many emails the far right conservatives were probably sending to The Tribal Leaders and we want to make sure that their opposition is not the only voice that is heard. So today our challenge is to simply write an email of thanks to The Coquille Indian Tribe for standing up for equality and becoming the first Native American Tribe to recognize same-sex marriage.

Here is the link to The Coquille Indian Tribe http://www.coquilletribe.org/

You can check out The Rainbow Wedding Network and The Same Love, Same Rights Team’s daily Vlogs on http://www.ig.tv/

Don’t forget to visit these LGBTQi Wedding Resources –

http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/ Since 2000 the Trusted LGBTQi online Wedding Resource
http://www.rainbowweddingnetworkmagazine.com/ The only nationwide LGBTQi Wedding Magazine
Visit us in NYC on October 19, 2008 for the LGBTQi Wedding Expo at the Riverside Church more information on http://www.samelovesamerights.com/

Same-Sex Wedding Expos Tour New York State

2008-08-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

Rainbow Wedding Network
Amanda Hager, correspondent
(866) 251-1564
http://www.SameLoveSameRights.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2008

Same-Sex Wedding Expos Tour New York State

The national gay & lesbian wedding resource, RainbowWeddingNetwork.com, has announced that the company will produce two GLBTQ Wedding Expos in New York this Fall, in celebration of Gov. Paterson’s recent ruling in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages from other states. The Expos will also include the Same Love, Same Rights® Mobile Marriage Summit, an interactive forum to motivate and educate attendees about the potential threats to pro-gay legislation, as well as innovative ways to enact real change all across America concerning marriage and family equality. The Expos will be held in October in Manhattan and Long Island. Each event is free for the public to attend.

Asheville, NC - RainbowWeddingNetwork.com celebrates the recent motion by New York Governor David Paterson toward greater tolerance in his state, adding two events to its Fall calendar focused on supporting same-sex couples throughout the New York area as they plan for their weddings. Preparations are well underway for two back-to-back GLBTQ Wedding Expos in Manhattan and Long Island. Over forty local wedding vendors will participate in each event who actively support equal rights in marriage. Other highlights will include Music, Fashion, Planning Tips, Samples and Informative Presentations about the issues concerning equality in marriage and adoption for the GLBTQ community. Admission is free, and all supporters of non-discrimination are encouraged to attend.

“This is a precedent,” says Marianne Puechl, co-owner of RainbowWeddingNetwork.com. “It’s a joyful time for couples who are residents of New York; they now feel more fully accepted as citizens under the law. They may travel out-of-state for their legal ceremony but they’ll return home for their large-scale wedding and reception. The fact that they now have access to the full rights and responsibilities of marriage, despite state borders, is a true milestone. It’s cause for celebration, and certainly time to bring real planning resources to couples throughout the state.” Puechl and her partner Cindy Sproul launched RainbowWeddingNetwork.com in 2000. To date, the company has produced 23 Expos all across America. Puechl continues, "This decision will have broad economic impact for New York, and help boost the wedding industry there considerably. We look forward to being a part and bridging couples with gay-friendly wedding professionals throughout the state.”

The two events in New York this October will include RainbowWeddingNetwork's new initiative, the Same Love, Same Rights® Mobile Marriage Summit. A rally and open forum for the public, those attending will have the opportunity to share their ideas on the issues and learn new ways to get involved both at the state and national levels, to enact mass change in favor of equal rights for the GLBTQ minority. Other Same Love, Same Rights® Expos have been scheduled for 2008 in Atlanta, St. Petersburg, Philadelphia and four cities throughout California.

Expo attendees will have the chance to mingle with dozens of screened, gay-friendly wedding professionals, as well as those in the travel, gift and home-planning industries, such as realtors, lawyers and adoption agencies. Married & engaged guests will be invited to add a photograph to the Commitment Photo Album,™ an ongoing project to document GLBTQ couples and their families throughout the nation. The Manhattan event will also highlight a Fashion Show sponsored in part by Kyoto Kimono. Dates and venues for the October Expos are: Sunday October 19th from 1:30-4:30pm at the Riverside Church in NYC, and TBA in Long Island.

Launched in 2000, RainbowWeddingNetwork.com (RWN) has grown to become the most extensive wedding resource for the gay and lesbian community in the United States. RWN produced its first GLBTQ Wedding Expo in 2003 and released the national Rainbow Wedding Network Magazine in 2006. To date, RWN has produced twenty-three different events in twelve states.

For more information about nationwide events please visit http://www.samelovesamerights.com/ and for more same-sex wedding and marriage resources, visit http://www.rainbowweddingnetworkmagazine.com/.

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