by Stacy Zemon
Late last week, New York became the sixth and largest state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill almost 42 years to the day that the modern-day gay rights movement was born amid violent encounters between police and gay activists at the Stonewall Inn.
Lady Gaga posted on Twitter that she “can’t stop crying.” The pop star has been urging her 11 million followers to call New York senators in support of the bill.
“The revolution is ours to fight for love, justice+equality. Rejoice NY, and propose. We did it!!!” she also posted.
When same-sex marriage was legalized in Massachusetts, I stood outside of City Hall in Northampton (where I was living at the time), to congratulate couples and hand out my business cards. I booked three weddings that day on-the-spot.
Entertaining at Same-Sex Weddings
If you’re from the New York Area and are quickly proactive, you too can take advantage of this new business opportunity.
Both members of a couple will likely be involved in planning their wedding. If you educate yourself, you can help them plan their ceremony (and provide sound for it) as well as their reception.
Same-sex couples are choosing rituals like writing their own vows and including family and friends in highly customized festivities. With no long-established gay wedding traditions, partners-to-be and the wedding industry are amending tradition as they go along.
At a gay or lesbian wedding, their will likely be only a few traditions that you are used to: The First Dance, Toasts, Cake-Cutting and the Last Dance, although some brides will want to throw a bouquet. Quite often, children are present at and involved with the events at the ceremony and reception.
Just like straight couples, gay and lesbian couples have been dreaming of being married for a long time. Given that they finally have the legal right to do so, it will naturally be a highly emotional experience for the couple and their guests.
Each member of a couple may be a bride or a groom, or they may both be brides or grooms. In some cases, there will be a traditional tuxedo and wedding dress worn, and in other cases both parties will wear tuxedos or wedding dresses.
If you are a DJ with an open mind, sensitivity, flexibility and a positive attitude, you can now help more wedding dreams come true in New York, and increase your bookings as well.
It will be a great day when all 50 states recognize same-sex marriage as the law of the land. Hopefully, by that time, we’ll all wonder what the big deal was all about and why it took so long.
Stacy Zemon - Publisher and Chief Scribe
Stacy Zemon is internationally considered a leading authority and leader in the DJ industry. She has reached an audience of millions as a Radio, Club, Karaoke and Mobile Disc Jockey.
Stacy’s work as a Writer, Author and Publisher have enabled her to spawn the largest number of DJ business owners in the world!
She is author of the world’s best-selling DJ books: The Mobile DJ Handbook, The DJ Sales & Marketing Handbook and The Mobile DJ MBA, and was a longtime writer for DJ Times magazine.
Stacy is also the Founder & President of DJ Video Network - Internet TV for DJs, by DJs.
Her mission is to provide educational resources for DJs that support their professional growth and financial prosperity.
Write to her c/o [email protected] or call 877-442-7170.
For the longer version of Stacy’s story, click here. To learn about the business services she provides for other DJs, click here.
