Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 - (Page 74)

GAY & LESBIAN TR AVEL Destination WEDDINGS As laws change, so do agents’ opportunities BY ROBERTA ROBERTI New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont and Washington state all allow same-sex partnerships or civil unions. (Note that although New Jersey and Oregon call it civil unions, the law grants LGBT couples the same rights as marriage.) Globally The first country to legalize same-sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001. This is a socially progressive nation and you are likely to find many venues for gay nuptials and honeymoons. Gay marriage is also legal in Canada; Vancouver, in particular, is a gay-friendly city, so you may want to set up your clients there. Montreal, however, could provide a more romantic setting. Other countries that recognize gay marriage are Belgium, Norway, South Africa and Spain. Countries that allow same-sex partnerships or civil unions are Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and Mexico. Great Britain plans to legalize same-sex unions in the near future. The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) (www.iglta.org) is dedicated to promoting LGBT tourism and can help agents plan the ideal trip for honeymooners. Purple Roofs (www.purpleroofs.com) is a directory of gay-friendly properties. The site has a search engine specifically for agents to find tour operators that deal with various regions. And it even has a special weddings/honeymoon category that allows you to search properties around the world amenable to gay commitment ceremonies. I An increasing number of U.S. and international destinations are opening up to same-sex marriages ON MAY 15, 2008, California’s Supreme Court ruled that banning same-sex marriage was discriminatory, thus legalizing gay weddings in that state. This was a landmark decision that the nationwide gay and lesbian (LGBT) community knew would affect their lives in the near future, as California laws tend to have a ripple effect throughout the rest of the U.S. Gay and lesbian couples flocked to San Francisco to exchange vows. While many others are waiting for the laws to change in their own home states, LGBT couples are traveling to those states and countries where they can exchange vows and be legally married. For travel agents, this opens up a whole new arena: LGBT destination weddings. Note: Some places recognize same-sex mar74 | TravelAgent September 15, 2008 riages, while others allow domestic partnerships/ civil unions only, which entitle the couples to fewer benefits and rights. Here are the states in the U.S. and countries around the world where gay marriages or partnerships are recognized. United States Massachusetts. The New England state was the first to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004. This is the perfect place to plan autumn weddings, allowing your clients to take advantage of the seasonal changes and cozy, romantic settings of the local inns. California. The Golden State was the second state to recognize gay marriage. San Francisco and West Hollywood, in particular, are filled with gay-friendly properties. CONNECTING YOU For deals and news on gay and lesbian travel, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/gay-lesbian http://www.iglta.org http://www.purpleroofs.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/gay-lesbian

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 Online Now Contents Agent Insider From the Editor Hawaii Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas US Airways Vacations - Atlantis, Paradise Island Specialist Central & South America Mexico Caribbean Cruises Cover Story: Merge Mania France by Rail Weddings & Honeymoons Gay & Lesbian Travel Tours Agent Profile Triptailor Vacations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Week Insights on Singapore Travel Leaders Builds New Alliances The Latest from the Caribbean A Sneak Peek at a New Ship Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

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