Same-sex couples may get to keep their marriages under the Trump administration, but threats to LGBT equality remain, most notably efforts by legislators to pass laws that would permit discrimination under the guise of religious beliefs.
Despite this, local businesses across the state of Michigan are saying "no" to anti-LGBT laws and continue to stand up for LGBT rights, which are at the forefront of this year's Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo on March 26.
Between The Lines will host a pre-Expo workshop, "LGBT Rights in the Trump Era – What Lies Ahead," at 11 a.m. in the second floor ballroom at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit.
Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan LGBT Project, and Angie Martell of Iglesia Martell Law Firm, PLLC in Ann Arbor, will discuss a variety of public policy issues affecting the LGBT community.
"I will address the proposed draft Executive Order from the Trump Administration that would permit this type of discrimination, as well as Michigan's law permitting faith based adoption and foster care agencies that contract with the State to refuse to work with LGBT families. I will also talk about the backlash targeting transgender people for discriminatory treatment, such as the bathroom bills we've seen introduced around the country," said Kaplan.
Although the LGBT Movement is on defense, the Expo is a great opportunity for LGBT couples and individuals planning events to enjoy themselves and connect with more than 100 inclusive vendors that continue extending themselves to the LGBT community.
"We know a lot of people are concerned about LGBT rights under the Trump Administration, but this is a day where people can come together in a safe space to celebrate how far we've come," said Jan Stevenson, co-publisher of Between The Lines and co-producer of the event with her co-publisher and wife, Susan Horowitz. "There will be plenty of work to do in the next four years, but the expo is the place to come for a day of fun, planning the celebrations of our lives."
The event, being hosted for the seventh year by BTL, will continue to be Detroit's only LGBT-specific destination for couples planning their wedding to meet with the inclusive vendors that respect their unions. But it's also the perfect place for straight allies to show their support for these vendors and the LGBT community, by considering inclusive vendors for all the special occasions in their lives: weddings, anniversaries, vow renewals, graduations, bar and bat mitzvahs, adoptions, baby showers, and more.
Once again, the Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo is being held at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. The Expo will feature more than 100 vendors, a fashion show, live entertainment, prizes, special guests and plenty of surprises, all in MotorCity's state-of-the-art ballroom and Sound Board Theater.
"We know some couples with wedding plans have been moving up their ceremonies since Donald Trump was elected," said BTL co-publisher Susan Horowitz. "And we know a lot of couples — including straight ones — feel more determined than ever to live their lives out loud and support the people and communities they care about."
BTL Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo Returns
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