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2015 LGBT Wedding Expo Embodies Hope

BY AJ TRAGER

SOUTHFIELD – This year the BTL Ultimate LGBT Wedding and Anniversary Expo was held on the anniversary weekend of Judge Friedman's decision in DeBoer v. Snyder. That decision struck down Michigan's same-sex marriage ban, for less than 24 hours, allowing 323 couples to become legally married in the state.
It was a weekend filled with complicated emotions. Visitors to the expo discussed marriage equality and the excitement of getting married juxtaposed with the anxiety of the same-sex marriage hearing set before the U.S. Supreme Court next month.
The fifth annual expo brought in more than 500 individuals from across the state, some married and others looking to see which vendors in the area are affirming and welcoming of LGBT identities. This year also brought in the most attendees BTL has ever seen.
"This event is amazing and brings people together and shows us the businesses in the area that support us and are willing to work with us, especially with all the crazy legislation and the crazy things going on — it's really important to know," April DeBoer said. There were over 100 such businesses present.
DeBoer, Jayne Rowse and their now five children made a surprise visit at the expo. As the plaintiff couple in the DeBoer v. Snyder case, they received a lot of attention as they walked in the door, especially once their kids saw the play area.
"We came out here to support Between The Lines and the Wedding Expo and to get information for ourselves, because it could very possibly be that we will be planning a wedding very soon," DeBoer said.
"I felt that the expo was especially energetic this year, so much positive buzz! I am always honored to have models that are champions for the LGBT community in the issue of marriage equality, and so encouraged and proud that every year, I have friends who are eager to volunteer their time to model in the show," said Brittany Blase, co-owner of B. Ella Bridal. B. Ella provided all of the bridal gowns for the fashion show. This year Emily Dievendorf, executive director of Equality Michigan; Kristy Pagan, state representative for Canton; Lisa Brown, the Oakland County Clerk who issued 132 licenses to same-sex couples last year; and Alicia Skillman, previous executive director of Equality Michigan, all participated in the fashion show and were joined by Jon Hoadley and Jeremy Moss, the two openly gay state representatives for the state, and Ken Silver, candidate for Southfield Mayor.

Couples Make Plans

On April 5, Jermaine Moore and Matirio Matters will celebrate their 14 year anniversary. They attended the expo to gather ideas and compile schemes for an upcoming announcement.
"We may have decided on our colors — green‚Ķ ish," Moore said. "There's going to be some green in there somewhere."
They met at a holiday party held by some friends but didn't come together as a couple until two years later. Their plan is to finally get married after spending over a decade together. As Michigan residents they would prefer to have their wedding in the state so that family and friends can attend.
"I think that they (SCOTUS) are going to get on and catch up with the times with all of the other 37 states," Moore said. "I think they are going to make it equal. Which is the best thing for everyone."
"I think that when people finally start being brave and start coming out and being visible, we can show that gays and lesbians come from all walks of life and it isn't just what you see on TV nowadays," Matters said. "I think that once it gets more visible, this is going to push the boundaries a little more and that would be fantastic."
As soon as it is legal, the couple will be at the courthouse. As residents of Wayne County, they were ready to make the leap of legal love last year but were unable to get married on March 22, 2014 since Wayne wasn't among the group of court houses to open its doors.
"The expo has been a great experience. It's wonderful to see that there are so many different companies that support marriage equality," Moore said.
When BTL asked Samone Marion and Pamela Coleman if they were married, the couple responded in perfect unison, "Not yet." They are planning on getting married in late August or early September.
Marion and Coleman met at church 13 years ago. They are waiting until Coleman finishes her doctorate in June to get married; that date also lines up with the SCOTUS decision, which will impact their plans. If the court rules against marriage equality, Marion and Coleman will seek out a place with marriage equality and get married there. But they'd rather get married in Michigan.
"This is where we live; our families are here," Marion said.
For their wedding they are thinking on a theme, but haven't made a decision yet though they plan to steer clear from the traditional black and white.
Famika Edmond and Reese Williams have been together for close to seven months after they met at their work and hit it off immediately.
"We are just checking things out, wanting to see who is open and inviting if we ever decide to go to that point," Edmond said.
They both work with LGBTQ youth at the Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park. Before joining the team at REC, Williams worked at Affirmations.
"I thought the event went really well, it was great," Williams said.
"I saw that Affirmations was in the back so I was kind of wishing that we (REC) had a booth here also," Edmond said.
Edmond brought her daughter, who spent the entire day on the go and was able to catch a quick nap while the couple checked out rings and floral arrangements.
"We had a wonderful time. You don't have to be ready to get married tomorrow to come and find out what is here," added Williams. "There are a lot of places that offer venues for things other than a wedding. There was a bunch of people here; it was great!"

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