Discrimination is, unfortunately, something that the LGBTQIA+ community is very aware of. From not getting the perfect wedding venue OKC because they were not heterosexuals to losing job opportunities because they came out about them being part of the community, LGBTQIA+ individuals have struggled considerably.
But one of the biggest wins for the LGBTQIA+ community and their struggle for equality was the Supreme court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage throughout the country in 2015. Even though most states throughout the US have legalized same-sex marriage, plenty still faces open discrimination from businesses.
Not only did the new law ensure that couples would no longer have to worry about the legality of their union, but it also fought back against discrimination. Even companies that were discriminating against the LGBTQIA+ community, they were being taken to court. And during the hearings, all of the verdicts fell in favor of the LGBTQIA+ community. But that has rarely stopped the discrimination they continue to face, especially in the wedding industry.
An Odd Bias
The monumental Supreme Court bill ensured that members of the LGBTQIA+ community would get married. So now they can pick out their favorite wedding venue in Oklahoma and say their vows in front of a wedding officiant OKC like any other wedding. And while many took the opportunity and ran with it, the wedding industry did discriminate against these same-sex couples.
Many wedding officiants in Oklahoma would outright reject offering their services, whereas wedding photographers in OKC would say they will not be taking pictures of the event. And the most common reason that each of them gave was that it went against their beliefs.
Even cake decorators can refuse layered baking cakes for same-sex couples to use at their wedding venue in Oklahoma City. Jack Phillips, who refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding due to his Christian beliefs, is the most famous example of this. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the couple, reinstating that what the artist did was discriminate against citizens of the United States. And as a privately owned business entity, he cannot discriminate against anyone.
However, it didn’t stop there, as another story from Colorado saw that a baker did not want to bake a cake for a trans couple. In that case, the couple won against the baker, and he had to pay a fine for it too.
Discrimination in Venues
There can be an argument for wedding videographers OKC or photographers not wanting to participate in the wedding. However, couples can face the strangest discrimination from wedding venues in OKC. Venue owners rarely ever participate in the celebration, as they usually focus on decorating the place instead. Instead, various couples continue to face bigotry from these venues simply because they were same-sex couples.
And even though many couples have moved on from these incidents, others prefer not to. It is still a sign that it takes more than a law for people to start seeing members of the LGBTQIA+ community as equals. Even among allies, terms like “gay wedding” or “queer wedding” can be greatly disrespectful of the progress that the LGBTQ++ community has been fighting for.
The “Gay Wedding” Problem
One of the biggest challenges that the LGBTQIA+ community faces is discrimination from allies and supporters. So even though most people mean well, they will unintentionally call the occasion a gay wedding or ask if there are any traditions specific to these weddings that they will have to follow.
This lack of understanding feeds the notion that gay weddings are not the same as straight weddings, which is false. “Gay weddings” or “same-sex weddings” have no dedicated rituals or specific rules that only “those” types of weddings will follow. Instead, it is a very similar ceremony to heterosexual marriages, with the couples fulfilling the same roles and going through the motions the same way.
And even though same-sex couples might implement something special into their wedding, it is not representative of the entire community. Therefore, there is no real need to distinguish heterosexual marriages from LGBTQIA+ ones.
So even if people are doing it unintentionally, it can be offensive to members of the LGBT++ community. And only by talking about it and listening to the community can ally be helpful rather than unintentionally causing more harm.
A Change in the Tides
Even though discrimination is still a major issue that members of the community face, there has been a wave of support in recent years. More and more individuals are starting to empathize with the struggle of the LGBTQIA+ community and have even begun to offer them support.
Furthermore, there are even members of the LGBTQIA+ community who have started offering wedding services. Therefore, when engaging with these businesses, individuals will not have to worry about facing discrimination at the hands of most wedding service providers.
And businesses like wedding photographers in Oklahoma City that would once not offer their services are now more than obliged. Seeing how discrimination against the LGBT++ community leads to a lawsuit, they are open to providing their services.
Get the Best Services from Allies of the Cause
Fortunately, you don’t have to go to wedding service providers who entertain you with gritted teeth. Dr. Makayla Saramosing and Dr. Tinsley Keefe from Lifelong Wedding Ceremonies are more than looking forward to helping with the weddings of the LGBTQIA+ community.
They can help arrange the venue, the photographers, videographers, and even the officiant for the ceremony. The officiant will have all of the training and certifications necessary to legalize the ceremony. The professionals here can also offer premarital counseling for any of the couple’s issues.
