BTL Hosts 8th Annual Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo at MotorCity Casino

Detroit — It's a long process to pick a venue, a photographer, make the guest list and worry about the floral arrangements — among countless other responsibilities. But, whether large or intimate, two people join together in a celebration of love. Undeniably, marriage can be a beautiful thing and most of America thinks so too. A 2013 Pew Research Study found that almost 90 percent of Americans rank love as the best reason to get married, and Pew also found that in the last 10 years, support for LGBTQ marriages shot up from 37 percent to 62 percent. Still, among all that support, there lies significant opposition.
In the wake of 2017's Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission Case, increasing pushes to discriminate against LGBTQ people in healthcare, social services, employment and even more, it's still as important as ever to ensure that one's wedding vendors are LGBTQ-affirming. Between The Lines' 8th Annual Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo guarantees just that.
The Expo is a great opportunity for LGBTQ couples and individuals planning events to enjoy themselves while connecting with over 80 inclusive vendors that continue extending themselves to the LGBTQ community.
Jan Stevenson is the co-publisher of BTL and co-producer of the event with her co-publisher and wife, Susan Horowitz. She said she is excited to create a welcoming environment for everyone in attendance.
"We know a lot of people are concerned about LGBTQ 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," Stevenson said. "There will be plenty of work to do in the next three years, but the Expo is the place to come for a day of fun, planning the celebrations of our lives."
At eighth years old, the Expo is Detroit's only LGBTQ-specific destination for couples looking to meet with the inclusive vendors that respect their upcoming unions. But, it's also the perfect place for straight allies to show their support for these vendors and the LGBTQ community. By considering inclusive vendors for all the special occasions in their lives — like weddings, anniversaries, vow renewals, graduations, bar and bat mitzvahs, adoptions, baby showers and more — allies can make a stand for progress in the face of discrimination.
This year's Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo will be held at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. Besides the vendors, the expo will feature a fashion show, live entertainment, prizes, special guests, the celebration of BTL's 25 years in publication and plenty of fun surprises. All of this will be held in MotorCity's state-of-the-art ballroom.
"We know some couples with wedding plans have been moving up their ceremonies since Donald Trump was elected," said 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."
The 8th Annual Ultimate LGBT Wedding & Anniversary Expo will be held on Sunday, March 11 from Noon to 4 p.m. The MotorCity Casino Hotel is located at 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit. More information about the event can be found online at milgbtwedding.com. Tickets can be purchased on the site also, for $10 in advance, or for $15 at the door. For updates, follow our Facebook page at facebook.com/UltimateLGBTExpo, @BTLexpo on Twitter and @BTLEXPO on Instagram.