Gay networking event
promotes 'wedding' services

PORTLAND DAILY SUN

By David Carkhuff, Staff writer

February 18, 2010

The 9,000-member DownEast Pride Alliance had hoped that gay couples would be planning their weddings when the group scheduled a large business networking event last year. The idea was to offer event services such as catering, flowers and professional photography, all of which could be used for a gay couple's wedding.

But on Nov. 3, those dreams of professionally serviced weddings were put on hold when 53 percent of voters in Maine overturned the state's gay marriage law. But the alliance — which was started to encourage gay people to do business within the gay community — decided to schedule the networking event anyway, bringing in the same firms to talk about event planning, including domestic partnership ceremonies, which are still legal in Maine.

So on Tuesday, Feb. 23, the alliance's next Business After Hours networking event will be a special exhibition of wedding and event services as presented by Creative Maine Weddings and Events. On Tuesday, the public is invited to learn about this collaborative wedding and event planning group by attending a get-together, scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Embassy Room at the Maine Military Museum on 50 Peary Terrace (off Broadway at the big, blue Greater Portland Christian School) in South Portland.

"We were going to do this back in November after the election, it was going to be the caterer, the florist, the photographer, the videographer. ..." explained Sid Tripp, co-founder of Downeast Pride Alliance.

"We really were hoping to have this event in November after the election, but with the vote going south, it just didn't make sense," he said.

When the gay marriage law was overturned, momentum went out of the idea of a gathering with wedding consultants. But both the alliance and Creative Maine Weddings and Events remained interested in a networking function. Next Tuesday finally fit on the calendar for both entities. Organizers say they hope the event also will serve as a morale boost for a demoralized gay community.

"This is a nice way to say there are people who do support you," Tripp said.

Business After Hours has been a popular draw for the year-and-a-half-old alliance. Before last November's vote, on Oct. 27, the alliance reported a record turnout of more than 240 people at the event at the Grace restaurant in Portland. Other venues have included The Salt Exchange and Yankee Lanes.

In the wake of the Nov. 3 vote, DownEast Pride Alliance wrote in a Nov. 4 post, "We now carry a heavy heart with the loss of NO on 1, but have deep appreciation for all of those from Protect Maine Equality and the thousand of volunteers that have worked tirelessly on this noble effort! We will win marriage equality!"

That determination remains, Tripp said.

"Just because the vote went one way in Maine doesn't mean the whole state feels that way," he said.

"As Maine has become more and more used to this idea of the civil unions and the equality especially with state government I just think people are going to want to get married and have these civil unions. It's here to stay," Tripp said. "Eventually it will get passed and it will be a big celebration but people are still celebrating now."

Today's celebrations are personal commitments through the domestic partnership law, he noted.

Domestic partnerships are recognized and legal in Maine so those ceremonies can be scheduled and organized, Tripp noted. And as winter begins to ease, the timing may be right for this networking event, he said.

"Heading into spring, people are going to want to think about having a domestic partnership, so people are going to be thinking about that, and again (the collaborative members are) showing their support to the gay community," Tripp said.

The event isn't just about domestic partnership event planning. Any number of special events can be coordinated, the alliance noted.

"This is a special exhibition of wedding and event services as presented by Maine Weddings and Events," the alliance wrote. "This event will be an elegant one not to be missed — fully catered with hot/cold appetizers (menu) and wine/beer/cocktail cash bar. Giveaways and raffles also to be offered.

"Creative Maine Weddings and Events is a collaborative of local small businesses (CVC Catering Group, Dodge the Florist, Kosmein Skin Care Center & Cosmic Castle Photography) that unite to fulfill all facets of your wedding or event needs," the alliance's press release stated. "Setting the perfect scene, they take into consideration the visual and aesthetic beauty of the chosen surroundings, the need to appeal to all of the senses, including unique culinary delights — all the while honoring the couple or individual and their special day. They take great satisfaction in creating the best experience possible for their clients, whether they are booked as a group or on an individual basis. If you’re about to embark on a journey of a lifetime, and want a memorable event to mark the occasion, think Creative Maine Weddings and Events. Contact Doug Haley at balihi@maine.rr.com."

Haley, a professional photographer with Cosmic Castle of Portland who's part of the collaborative, said anticipation of the right to marry within the gay community peaked last fall.

"We had wanted to do it in November with the expectation that the law was going to pass," Haley said.

Then interest dissipated after the vote.

"I think there was that initial kind of shock that it didn't pass," Haley said. "Then the Christmas season was setting in and we didn't hear much. ... Hopefully it builds again and we start seeing people," particularly those signing up for services in conjunction with domestic partnerships, he said.

Personally, Haley said he remains optimistic.

"I've lived in Maine now for 20 years and this one was the third time that the attempt has been made to pass a gay marriage right law here. Basically what we have to do is keep trying. You have to stay upbeat with these kinds of things," he said.

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