Vietnamese lesbian couple hold Valentines Day wedding on a plane

A Vietnamese lesbian couple have celebrated Valentine’s Day – by celebrating their wedding onboard a plane. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognised in Vietnam – but last month the government repealed a law which actively criminalised gay weddings. Passengers on the Vietjet flight to from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok today were presumably surprised to find themselves in the midst of a wedding reception for couple Tang Ai Linh and Pham Thi Thanh Phuong. The pair – who have been together for 13 years – approached the airline to ask about the possibility of a ceremonial wedding – but the airline went all out, even decking out the plane with flowers. According to Thanhnien News, the couple exchanged rings on the flight, before sharing a kiss and cutting their wedding cake. The move last month to repeal the same-sex marriage ban was seen by many as a move designed to promote Vietnam’s image as a tolerant and accepting country, and boost tourism especially from LGBT travelers. It is the first country in South East Asia to make such a move. Singapore’s courts upheld its anti-gay laws in October, parts of Indonesia punish homosexuality with 100 lashes, and Brunei passed a law calling for gays to be stoned to death. Article: 14th February 2015 www.pinknews.co.uk Photo:Thanhnien News

Japanese fairy-tale Gay wedding at Disney resort

TOKYO — The wedding was a fairy-tale affair, with flowing dresses and a three-tiered cake set in the most coveted of Japanese venues: the Tokyo Disney Resort. Koyuki Higashi and her partner of one and a half years tied the knot in front of 30 well-wishers on Friday, but much more of the country was in on the celebration, the first same-sex wedding at the theme park here. Ms. Higashi, a stage actress turned gay rights activist, and her partner, Hiroko, who has not revealed her full name, posted frequent social media updates of their wedding plans and from their Christian-style ceremony, with a romantic gondola ride. “My partner Hiroko and I just held a gay wedding at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Even Mickey and Minnie are here to celebrate with us!” Ms. Higashi, 28, wrote in a Twitter post that also had a picture of the newlyweds posing with the big-eared Disney characters and a flower-festooned cake. Her entry was reposted more than 6,000 times, drawing largely positive responses. “Congratulations,” replied Masaki Koh, a Japanese gay porn star. “Your wonderful wedding will bring inspiration and hope to many people who still hesitate to take the first step. I was also encouraged that Tokyo Disney Resort was so understanding.” But on the Naver Matome site, which collects and curates social media entries, a user who identified himself as Nizo Hakoda remarked: “I don’t particularly mind homosexuality and same-sex marriage, but watching the news made me wonder why they had to hold their ceremony at a crowded place like Disney. It’s fine for the people who accept it, but there are others who don’t.” The Walt Disney Company had long allowed same-sex celebrations in a limited way on its grounds, like in banquet halls. But in 2007, it began allowing same-sex couples to buy high-end wedding packages, which can include elaborate ceremonies, Disney characters and public displays at its theme parks and on its cruises. Despite that change in policy, Ms. Higashi found that no same-sex wedding had ever occurred at Tokyo Disney Resort. She reported on her blog and on Twitter that she had inquired about weddings at Tokyo Disney Sea, a part of the Disney Resort. But when it became apparent to the organizers that her partner was female, Ms. Higashi reported, she was asked if one of them could wear a tuxedo — so that other visitors to the park would not feel uncomfortable. Her posts set off the first stir on Japanese social media sites. A week later, the organizers at Milial Resort Hotels, a subsidiary of the company that runs Tokyo Disney, got back to Ms. Higashi with good news: both brides were welcome to wear wedding dresses (or both tuxedos, for that matter). “Mickey Mouse supports gay marriage!” Web headlines declared. Milial Resort Hotels issued an apology. “Initially, there was an incomplete understanding on the part of our staff over the requirement for dresses,” said Jun Abe, a Milial spokeswoman. “If we caused them sadness and discomfort, we are sorry.” Of course, their dream wedding did leave something to be desired for the couple: legal standing. Japan does not recognize same-sex marriages, though there is little in the way of religious opposition from Buddhism, imported from China, or Japan’s native Shinto religion. Japanese historical texts contain references to same-sex relationships. Some local governments, including Tokyo, ban discrimination at work based on sexual identity, but even so, in this group-conscious, relatively conformist society, most gay residents remain in the closet. Gay public figures tend to be in TV entertainment, where gay men win laughs as flamboyant queens. Ms. Higashi came out less than three years ago after a short-lived stage career, while Hiroko says she cannot use her full name widely because some family members are not fully comfortable with her sexuality. Hiroko said, however, that she was emboldened by the response the couple had received from friends, family and social media, and that she hoped that her wedding helped create a public discussion. “This could prompt Japan to question why it so often ignores or discriminates against minorities,” Hiroko said. “Mostly we just want people to know that gay people exist for real, and we would like to throw weddings like everyone else.” Article: 4th March 2013 www.nytimes.com

The National Gay Wedding Show 3rd March 2013 Liverpool

Are you planning your gay wedding? Would you like ideas for fantastic venues, dresses, cakes and more? Come to the BT Convention Centre on the 3rd March 2013, for the National Gay Wedding Show, where you will be able to view a wide range of products and services across the whole wedding market. Under amendments made to The Marriages and Civil Partnerships Regulations in 2011, allowing same sex couples to register for a civil partnership, 53,417 ceremonies have been conducted, a number that still continues to rise. The National Gay Wedding Show will have over 200 hand selected exhibitors from every aspect of the wedding industry, to help you learn everything you need to know about your special day. It will not only blow your wedding shoes off, but will guide you through what is set to be one of the most important days of your life. As you are entering into married life together, maybe you have also thought about starting a family of your own. Why not check out Pride Angel’s stall at the show for information and advice about becoming a parent as a gay or lesbian couple. SHOW FEATURES Over 200 hand selected exhibitors Free Rainbow coloured ice cream cones from our very own vintage van Live entertainment Catwalk Shows and demonstrations VIP Lounge Wedding Wonderland full of tasty treats Wedding experts on hand to offer advice and experience Dressing Room for all your dressing up and trying on needs, with advice for all! Goodie Bag for every visitor Beauty tips and treats Champagne Bar + so much more VIP Package VIP tickets available, tickets include: Entry to an exclusive VIP relaxation area Fast track entrance Complimentary glass of champagne Complimentary VIP goody bag Exclusive live lounge entertainment The tickets will cost £20 per person Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult over 18.

Maryland gay couples celebrate new year by getting married

Numerous gay couples across Maryland will be celebrating the New Year with a bumper toast as they share the occasion with their marriages, the first to be conducted following a referendum to legislate for marriage equality. The US state of Maryland voted in favour of civil equal marriage in November with 52.4% of voters backing equality. In the run up to the vote, Hollywood actor Brad Pitt agreed to donate $100,000 (£62,000) to help the Human Rights Campaign raise money for its efforts to support equal marriage initiatives in several US states, including Maryland. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who previously studied in the state, also donated $250,000 (£155,000) to the pro-marriage equality campaign in Maryland last week. A bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Maryland was passed by the state General Assembly in February 2012 and signed into law on 1 March 2012, by Governor Martin O’Malley. However, opponents of marriage equality successfully gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the decision. In Baltimore, the state’s largest city, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will attend ceremonies at City Hall. Same-sex couples celebrated the first equal marriages in the state of Maine on the 29 December. Article: 31st December 2012 www.pinknews.co.uk The Pride Angel team wishes you all a very Happy New Year!