Same-sex wedding expo set for Sunday

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 11:01 a.m.

In November, Nevadans voted to amend the state constitution to ensure that homosexual marriages could not get legal recognition, but that's not putting a damper on this weekend's convention promoting homosexual weddings.

"I never thought about last November's vote when I put this together, but now I believe that maybe it will help down the road," said Las Vegan Christopher Penland, owner of G&L Ceremony Consultants, the organizer of the first Las Vegas Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo set for Sunday at the Alexis Park Resort.

"I want to help bring our city out of the Dark Ages. When it comes to gay issues we are far behind the times. We want people to know commitment ceremonies are available. (Gay) marriage is not legal. But being committed to one another is fine whether you're gay or straight."

Gay community leaders hope that events such as the expo, which is expected to draw about 400 participants, will send a strong message that gays are still a force to be reckoned with.

"Events like this show that a commitment ceremony cements a relationship just like a marriage, and it is very important to us because legally we are denied our rights every day," said Ande Rice, who had a commitment ceremony 23 years ago and is still with her partner.

Rice, chairwoman of Equal Rights Nevada, said that while the vote to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage was overwhelming -- 337,183 for to 164,555 against -- there were some bright spots for her side.

"We picked up 50,000 people who have a better understanding (of gays) and want to be educated," Rice said, referring to the extra votes gained against the measure from its first vote in 2000. Two votes were necessary to get the constitution changed.

"We are not quitting," Rice said.

Nevada ranks high nationwide in the percentage of same-sex couples, the 2000 Census says. That report shows Nevada had nearly 5,000 gay couples, or 1.2 percent of all couples. That percentage was the fourth highest among the states.

However, Penland said most of his commitment ceremony business comes from outside of Nevada and, in some cases, outside of America.

"Last year I got just three inquiries (for commitment ceremonies) in the state," he said. "Yet I've also put together ceremonies for a couple from the Czech Republic and several from England. Also, at least three of every four ceremonies are for women."

Sunday's show will include a commitment ceremony for a male couple from Connecticut.

Richard Ziser, chairman of the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage, the organization that brought the same-sex marriage ban to fruition, said he is not surprised by events like this weekend's convention or reports that wedding chapels are still performing same-sex ceremonies.

"Our goal was to see that (two-sex) marriage was protected by the law," Ziser said. "Gay people can still have commitment ceremonies, though they provide no legal status.

"However, I do question the use of the word 'wedding' (as part of the name of the expo) because they are not really holding weddings."

Nevada law prohibited marriage for homosexual couples before the constitutional ban was sought. The amendment primarily ensures that same-sex couples from other states cannot gain legal recognition in Nevada.

Also at issue is whether there will be a challenge to its constitutionality.

"We have no intention right now of any constitutional action," said Rice, who also runs the Gay-Lesbian Straight Education Network, which promotes causes such as anti-bullying regulations to protect gay students in schools.

"We look at the state and national scene, and right now the concerns are the Legislature, the economy and the war. We are watching all of this and planning strategy from there."

Ziser said he believes the new law will stand the test of the court system.

"Last April there was legal action that tested Georgia's marriage statutes that were upheld," Ziser said.

Ziser and Rice said each side is keeping a watchful eye on Massachusetts, where earlier this month the state's Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments on an appeal of a ruling that said the Legislature should decide whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

The pending decision could make Massachusetts the first state to legalize gay marriages.

Ziser said that depending on the outcome of that court action, we could expect to start seeing more challenges of state laws through state and federal courts by gay organizations.

Sunday's event is open to the public with a $10 charge for a single guest and a $15 charge for couples. Children 17 and under get in free.

archive