City officials are paying more than just lip service to the claim they promote and celebrate diversity in the community.
They are partnering with a local company to hold a wedding celebration on Valentine’s Day that will be open LGBT couples who want to get married or exchange vows as well as heterosexual couples.
Dunedin Commissioners agreed unanimously Jan. 22 to waive the $460 rental fee for the use of the park.
Spurred by a court ruling that Florida’s ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional, Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski proposed at the City Commission meeting Jan. 8 that Dunedin have a mass wedding ceremony at Weaver’s Park on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14.
Meanwhile, city officials found out that Team G Events, a event planning and marketing firm, already made arrangements with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to perform a similar type of event at the park Feb 14, from noon until sunset.
When Ward Bujalski learned that Team G Events planned to have the celebration, she was pleased because they are experts at planning events. The mayor has agreed to read a proclamation of inclusiveness and be one of the officiants at the event.
“I don’t believe that any Dunedin resident deserves to be treated as a second-class citizen and that’s what’s been happening for a very long time, and I’m very proud to use this event to show community celebration on something that should have happened a long time ago,” she said.
Greg Brady, a spokesman for the company, said he has endured discrimination with his partner as well as a lot of other LGBT couples.
“Moving forward, and now 36 states have recognized our ability to have the same rights as afforded other Americans, this event was not meant to raise dollars but rather awareness and raise friends in support and bring out those families who support their family members who happen to be part of this community,” Brady said.
Ceremonies will be scheduled every half hour and local church ministers will participate during the event.
“The buy-in from the Dunedin business community and the partnership has been overwhelming,” Brady said.
According to a study provided to Team G Events by Equality Florida, an advocacy organization for the LGBT community, 24,248 same-sex couples are expected to get married in the next three years. The economic impact on, Brady said, Florida is $116.6 million in the first year and $182 million in the first three years with $12 million in sales tax revenue for local and state government.
He added that 875 to 3,000 jobs would be created in the hospitality and tourism industry by same sex marriages and celebrations.
“We (Dunedin) are a community that has a rich fabric of culture, diversity and reputation of welcoming all of those who wish to live, work and play here,” he said. “This is one more indication to the LGBT community that we welcome them to live here, open a business, retire here and invest in Dunedin,” Brady said.
Commissioner Heather Gracy thanked Brady for his patience while city officials “figured this out behind the scenes” with the city manager’s guidance.
“The spirit for me has always been there, but looking out for element of inclusiveness was important for me. Thank you for acknowledging that,” she said.
Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage ended statewide at midnight, Jan. 5, stemming from U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle’s ruling that the ban is unconstitutional.
read more; Grey Bridesmaid Dresses
2025 ©