The American Civil Liberties Union launched a campaign this week to urge the public to RSVP to the wedding of ABC's Modern Family’s Mitchell and Cam. 

The show's gay characters, Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet), aren’t officially engaged, but are happily partnered and co-parent a sweet (er, sassy) daughter, Lily. ACLU’s Executive Director Anthony D. Romero hopes to persuade show creators Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd that such an episode would be a hit.

With this light-hearted campaign for a TV wedding, there's a serious message motivating it. The civil-rights organization is hoping to draw attention to the Supreme Court's upcoming decisions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, which restrict marriage rights. (The rulings are slated for June.)

"The freedom to marry is being advanced in American living rooms as much as in court rooms," Romero said in a statement. "As we wait for the Supreme Court to rule, we want to keep this issue on the minds and screens of Americans everywhere."

The ACLU hopes to attract 750,000 online supporters for the campaign, at which point the organization plans to present its "guest list" to Levitan and Lloyd.

Will you add your name to the guest list? Click below for more information. 

In real life, Jesse Tyler Ferguson is actually engaged to his partner Justin Mikita. Watch their adorable video here, and check out our inspiration boards for their upcoming wedding here. —Kirsten Ott Palladino

Photo via ABC. Image via ACLU.

We're introducing a new series: poetry for your wedding ceremony readings, wedding vows and love letters you might be handing to one another on your wedding day or honeymoon. Our first selection is from the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, whose sensual and exquisite lines romance us with almost tangible forces.

Every Day You Play, from Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair
By Pablo Neruda

Every day you play with the light of the universe.
Subtle visitor, you arrive in the flower and the water.
You are more than this white head that I hold tightly
as a cluster of fruit, every day, between my hands.

You are like nobody since I love you.
Let me spread you out among yellow garlands.
Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?
Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed.

Suddenly the wind howls and bangs at my shut window.
The sky is a net crammed with shadowy fish.
Here all the winds let go sooner or later, all of them.
The rain takes off her clothes.

The birds go by, fleeing.
The wind. The wind.
I can contend only against the power of men.
The storm whirls dark leaves
and turns loose all the boats that were moored last night to the sky.

You are here. Oh, you do not run away.
You will answer me to the last cry.
Cling to me as though you were frightened.
Even so, at one time a strange shadow ran through your eyes.

Now, now too, little one, you bring me honeysuckle,
and even your breasts smell of it.
While the sad wind goes slaughtering butterflies
I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth.

How you must have suffered getting accustomed to me,
my savage, solitary soul, my name that sends them all running.
So many times we have seen the morning star burn, kissing our eyes,
and over our heads the gray light unwind in turning fans.

My words rained over you, stroking you.
A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body.
I go so far as to think that you own the universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells,
dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I want
to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

For andro lesbians, makeup isn’t usually a main concern, but even the most perfect complexion can look blotchy under wedding photographers’ lenses. The sun and lights can make your skin go from fair to glare, so take a tip from these three butch celebrities, who know how to tweak their makeup routine just enough to battle the close-ups, while still retaining a natural look.



RACHEL MADDOW
Even the first openly gay prime-time host is not above a little powder. After seeing herself on television, and some pushing from her partner, she admitted that a little makeup wouldn’t hurt, “Without it she looked like a dead person,” her longtime partner, Susan Mikala, mentioned in a New York Magazine profile. So she opted to get “done up like a dude.”

Get Rachel’s Look

Face: Basic foundation makes sure every visible surface is covered, keeping her fresh-faced and smooth, even with studio lights beaming down. Follow up with powder, which helps tone down glare.

Eyes: Apply eyeliner to the bottom half to contour the eye ever so slightly so it doesn’t look sunken in on camera.

Lips: Skip the lips and go au natural; just be sure to keep them hydrated with chapstick throughout the day so they won’t dry out. The good thing about this route is that you won’t have to worry about smudging when you kiss your new wife.

ELLEN DEGENERES
We all would give anything to have a face as youthfully fresh as Ellen’s (she’s 53 and looks 35!), and, as the face of CoverGirl, she’s a good person to take cues from.

Get Ellen’s Look

Face: Obviously, she’s a devotee to CoverGirl cosmetics. Her makeup artist uses the CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer/Foundation/Concealer trio. These three products will smooth out your face and cover up any blemishes, and they feel so light, you won’t even realize you’re wearing makeup.

Eyes: A subtle smokey eye adds glamour without being too femme, and plays up her baby blues. Her makeup artist then lines with brown eyeliner, smudges, and then tops with a neutral shadow such as grey and brown mascara. Using brown eyeliner and mascara instead of black gives a more natural look.

Lips: Instead of lining the lip, DeGeneres' makeup artist applies liner lightly to the lip area because it holds the actual color longer (a great wedding-day trick!). Then CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss gives a luxurious, albeit natural, color and shine to finish the look.

JANE LYNCH
Someone who can make a tracksuit look good clearly has style. The Glee star has the ability to glam it up for the red carpet but we think she looks just as fantastic on set.

Get Jane’s Look

Face: Foundation smoothes her skin and barely there blush on the apples of her cheeks show off her strong jawline while adding just a hint of color to keep from looking washed out under bright lighting.

Eyes: Light eyeliner along the outer edges and a subtle brown eye shadow help create definition.

Lips: Jane plays up her natural lip color with Smith’s Rosebud Salve that keeps them moisturized and looking healthy.

Photos: Rachel Maddow courtesy of MSNBC; Ellen DeGeneres and Jane Lynch courtesy of IMDB.com

When I got engaged, I had no idea what type of wedding dress I wanted to wear. Flat shoes or high heels? Would I wear a veil or a flower in my hair?

One thing I knew I wanted to wear without a doubt: fake eyelashes. While they may seem overly dramatic, especially compared to your normal beauty routine, they make a huge impact—framing your eyes and making your look pop in photographs.

If you’ve never applied fake eyelashes yourself, don’t be nervous. It just takes a little practice and a little patience. Here are10 easy steps on how to do it yourself!

Gather your supplies: eyelashes, glue and a few cotton swabs. While you can apply the glue directly from the container, using a cotton swab is usually less messy and provides better control.

The eyelashes are packaged the way you should put them on, with the smaller lashes on the inside corners and longer lashes toward the outside. Take one lash out of the container—they’re a bit sticky—to get started.

Take the lash between your forefinger and thumb on each end and bend them slightly so they will conform to the shape of your eye.

Draw a small line of glue onto the length of the eyelashes so they will curl up and away from your eyes.

Lightly close your eye as you place the lashes as close to your natural lash line as possible, pressing down on your eyelid.

Hold down the lashes, pressing lightly, making sure the corners are adhering well.

The glue will appear white at first, but as it dries it will disappear.

Apply mascara to blend your real eyelashes together with the fake ones.

Compare the difference between your regular, natural lashes (right) and the eye with the fake lashes! Beautiful!

TIP: Never apply the lashes immediately after applying the line of glue. You want it to be tacky, but not wet.

Learning to glue on a full set of lashes is usually easier, at first, than applying the small clumps of lashes individually. But if you want only to fill in the outer corner of your lashes and make them fuller, individuals are the way to go.

Photo: Real Wedding Annie and Sylvia, photography by Rachel McCauley Photography

By Jennifer Dome

Brooke + Joana in Miramar Beach, Florida
Love-filled seaside nuptials punctuate an aquatic-colored DIY wedding

By Kirsten Ott Palladino

Joana Rodriguez was waiting for the perfect opportunity to propose to her girlfriend Brooke Rollins. She already had the engagement ring, which featured a square peridot gemstone to match Brooke’s sparkling eyes, and, conveniently, her birthstone.

“It was a Sunday morning and we were in the middle of mountains of homework as always,” recalls Joana, “and the movie ‘Up’ by Pixar was playing in the background. The movie is about a man who loses his soul mate after years and years of marriage, but lives out her dream of adventures. They meet as children and are together for a very long time. The husband is a quiet kinda person, as I am, and the wife is talkative and full of life, as is Brooke. At one point in the movie when they are still children Lilly, the wife, looks at the husband and says that she wants to spend forever with him having adventures, it was then that I pulled out the ring from my pajama pocket and asked Brooke if she would spend forever having adventures with me. As I expected, she was overjoyed and full of excitement and began to cry, so I giggled and asked, ‘So I guess this means yes?’ She then answered with a ‘yes.’”

When planning their beach wedding, Decatur, Ga., residents Brooke Rollins and Joana Rodriguez searched everywhere for an LGBT-friendly venue. The lesbians found it at the Atlanta Pride Festival: The Embassy Suites in Miramar Beach, Fla.

“I am not going lie,” says Joana, whose confident presence was what attracted Brooke to her. “I was afraid that it was going to be difficult to find a place that we could be ourselves and celebrate and relax all at the same time. It was at Pride that we found the Embassy Suits; it was there that I realized that discrimination can be set aside and your love can be celebrated. Go where you are welcome, and you will have the time of your life.”

To honor their commitment, Brooke, who legally took Joana’s last name after the nuptials, devoted a considerable amount of effort to bringing to life their theme of an eclectic mix of modern vintage with personal touches added to reflect their individual personalities, such as Brooke’s handcrafted vintage brooch bouquet and a superhero-themed cake for Joana.

The bride and broom (a term for masculine brides coined by Equally Wed Magazine Publisher and Cofounder Maria Palladino and used by readers, including Joana) wed on May 5, 2012, at a sunset beach ceremony which included gathering words, guest declaration of support and the exchanging of vows and rings. “The focus of our ceremony was the tying of the lover’s knot, which symbolized the intertwining our lives and our families,” says Brooke. “With one strand of natural fiber manila line—a nod to Joana’s service in the Coast Guard—each of us did our part to create the fisherman’s knot, also known as the lover’s knot.”

The bride wore a sweetheart gown with a beaded bodice and layered organza skirt, which was given a funky update with a turquoise crinoline skirt made by Ann Swank at Swank Underpinnings. The look was complete with her turquoise-and-green ballet flats. Brooke carried a bouquet of her own making: She wired 30 vibrantly colored antique and new brooches and assembled them together to make “a small, but surprisingly hefty nosegay,” she says. “The brooches were given to me by my mother, my wife-to-be and my friends, and each brooch held personal meaning. My bouquet took seven months of assembly, four packages of floral wire and two rolls of tape, a box of band-aids and one scare—or maybe two. It was worth every ounce of effort and all of the love that went into it.”

A jovial reception accentuated by turquoise and green included a photo booth complete with props for wacky photos, tables outfitted with handmade centerpieces comprised of silver charges, turquoise French flower pots filled with dried hydrangea and greenery accented by one antique tea cup and saucer from Brooke’s grandmothers collection and three LED pillar candles; the dinner buffet which featured Joana’s mothers Mexican feast for a Cinco de Mayo-themed celebration and a homage to Joana’s heritage; a bar, a candy and cupcake buffet, a cake table and a reception table. Brooke surprised Joana, a devout superhero fan, with a four-layer cake featuring Captain America, Superman, Spiderman and Batman, accompanied with a handmade background of a cityscape equipped with city lights.

 Listen to Brooke and Joana's first-dance song on Spotify:

Brooke and Joana danced together for the first time as wife and wife to Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” sung live by Jamie Heart and accompanied by acoustic guitarist Kato Estill. Heart and Estill, both friends of the couple, sang songs of their own and covers at various points in the evening.

After the wedding reception, the Rodriguezes and their 38 guests oohed and aahed over a display of fireworks on the beach and then let the ocean air carry away biodegradable paper lanterns into the sky, which Brooke says symbolized “our wishes for our healthy, happy future.”

The Rodriguezes, who honeymooned in Sandestin, Fla., welcomed a healthy baby girl on May 14, 2013.

A version of this article was published in Atlanta Gay Weddings, 2012/13. 

VENDORS
Photographers: Alisha Sams of Imaginarium Studios, Kory Garner of Faux Toe Images
Venue and Caterer: The Embassy Suites, Miramar Beach, FL
Cake: Melissa Donovan
Cupcakes: Over the Top Cupcakes, Stuart, FL
Vocalists, guitarist: Jamie Heart, Kato Estill
Attire: David’s Bridal (Brooke), Macy’s (Joana)
Hair: Barbie at Avant Garde Salon, Destin (Brooke)
Officiant: Ray Ward
Jewelers: Hon Ngai Jewelry, Etsy.com (Brooke’s engagement ring), Worthmore Jewelers (Joana’s band), The Mobley Company, Villa Rica, GA (Brooke’s band)
Flowers: A Perfect Day, Destin, FL

There is big news for the Midwest on Monday as Minnesota Senate passed by 37-30 vote a marriage equality bill, which passed in the House last week by a 75-59 vote. Now the bill heads to Gov. Mark Dayton who solemnly promises to sign it into law on Tuesday, making Minnesota No. 12 for states which allow gay and lesbians the legal freedom to get married. This victory of three states passing marriage equality laws in two weeks is indicative of the spread of fairness across the country, and is hopefully telling of what will happen in June when the Supreme Court rules on DOMA and Prop 8.

The next state we're watching for marriage equality is Illinois.

Keep up with marriage equality news on Twitter @EquallyWed and Facebook /EquallyWedMagazine. —Kirsten Ott Palladino

Jeff + Sebastian at Lake Tahoe, Nevada 
California grooms tie the knot in an outdoor summer wedding outfitted in white and blue

Photography by Nick Kova Photography

Wedding design by Merrily Wed

Jeff and Sebastian were married on June 30, 2012, at a private lakefront estate on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The grooms are both busy professionals from San Francisco and wanted a destination experience for their guests. In fact, a casual summer camp vibe was the inspiration for the day including their s’mores wedding cake complete with marshmallow cake topper figurines.

A gorgeous hydrangea blue with pops of orange kept the look summery and fresh with natural, organic elements. Guests signed cards, which they tied to ribbons dangling from a decorated arch that the wedding party and the happy couple walked under so they could be showered with friends’ and family’s well-wishes as they started their processional.

If it's your wedding dream to pledge your forever love on the sandy shores of a beach, it will take some planning. Preparing for the trip is just as vital a part of making your wedding day perfect as preparing for the ceremony itself. When it comes to packing, how comfortable and memorable the wedding is will depend on what items you bring. Here are five must-haves for a destination beach wedding.

Comfy Shoes

From running around pulling together last-minute details to exploring the locale post-wedding, having shoes that provide a comfy home for your tender toes is a must. Shop for shoes that are comfortable and versatile so you can wear them when running to the store or walking along the beach. Pack more than one pair to ensure you have choices for each day, and should one pair get wet you have a fallback.

Bathing Suits

The whole point of going to a beach is hanging out on the shore. Instead of filling your suitcase with clothes you'd wear every day, put extra effort into your bathing suit packing choices. Purchase a collection of new bathing suits, including one in a bridal-appropriate white. For when you are walking along the beach or touring the little street shops nearby, you'll want a cute cover up. Pack a collection of classy cover-ups, giving you the coverage you need to feel comfortable while still keeping you beach appropriate.

Tour Book

Many destination-wedding couples elect this wedding option because they share a love of experiencing new places. Equip yourself with a tool to use in exploring the location in which you land by taking a filled-to-the-brim tour book. While you likely wont have time to tour the locale before your wedding, after your ceremony you will find yourself with more time to look around.

Sun-Protectant

A sunburn can instantly ruin your perfect wedding and honeymoon. Prepare yourself to fend off the sun's rays by packing sunscreen of at least 45 SPF and using it religiously. Pack some aloe lotion in case some of the suns rays do manage to penetrate your layer of protection. Slathering on this cooling lotion can immediately take the sting out of your sunburn, making it easier to handle.

Reading Material

Pack something that will help you take a break from the hectic wedding planning and post-wedding celebration. Tuck your eReader or a collection of traditional paperbacks into your suitcase. If you wear contacts, consider prescription sunglasses. You can order custom frames and lenses from online retailers such as Vision Direct, and you can even get fashionable brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Each time you need to unwind, take your reading material and venture to the beach for some ultimate relaxation. When you run your toes through the sand while reading your book and you will feel your stresses melt away. —Caroline Spencer

Top photo: Jerry and John married on the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Read their Real Wedding feature here. Photo by Karen Lisa Artistic Photography

Fresh, real, live, bountiful flowers in bridal hairdos never fail to send us swooning. We've rounded up some of our favorite images to inspire your wedding-day 'dos. Plus, some wedding music to enjoy!

Source: Feather and Twine Photography

“She wore flowers in her hair and carried magic secrets in her eyes.” —Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things

Source: Long Hairstyles How To

"Earth laughs in flowers." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Source: Pinterest

"Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair." —Susan Polis Shutz

P.S. You should like Equally Wed on Facebook.

The Minnesota House has passed a measure to legally recognize same-sex marriage. The vote was 75 to 59.

The measure now goes to the Senate, which will take up the issue Monday.

The Star Tribune reports:

"Debate in the House got underway in the early afternoon, as thousands of supporters and opponents gathered outside the chamber. House Democratic leaders and the bill's supporters were confident it would pass. If it passes Monday in the Senate, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton could be sign it into law by early next week and make Minnesota the 12th U.S. state to legalize gay marriage.

"My family knew firsthand that same sex couples pay our taxes, we vote, we serve in the military, we take care of our kids and our elders and we run businesses in Minnesota," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Karen Clark, a Minneapolis Democrat who is gay. "... Same-sex couples should be treated fairly under the law, including the freedom to marry the person we love."

P.S. You should like Equally Wed on Facebook.

The tale of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby comes to the silver screen, with The Great Gatsby opening in theaters May 10, and we're predicting an onslaught of chic bobs, intense attention to detail, sharply dressed gents and butches and glamorous wedding gowns, and even a fun Charleston dance number at the reception as brides, grooms and brooms pay tribute to the Roaring '20s with themed weddings, rehearsal dinners and parties. We've gathered a myriad of Gatsby-inspired wedding ideas for you, from jewelry to attire to cocktails, hair, makeup and more. Cheers! —Kirsten Ott Palladino

"No amount of fire could challenge the fairytale he had stored up in his heart." —Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), The Great Gatsby

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P.S. You should like Equally Wed on Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Ent.

Earlier we broke the news that Delaware was the 11th state to pass marriage equality. Gov. Jack Markell is set to sign the bill into law tonight! And immediately afterwards, he's hosting a Google+ Hangout to chat with you. Details below:

Where: Google+ Hangout hosted by Sensible Politics
URL: https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cg2062b47oq6hutepmvt8hom0tc
When: 7:45pm EST, Tuesday, May 7

BREAKING NEWS: Delaware has just passed its marriage equality bill (HB75). The final vote was 12-9 in the Senate moments ago. The bill passed the House on a close vote April 23. The bill passed 23-18, receiving two more votes than were required for passage. Gov. Jack Markell has said he will sign it into law.

Photography by Jessica Hill, A Brit and a Blonde

Gay and lesbian Minnesotans could have the freedom to legally marry as early as Aug. 1. There's a bill that is scheduled to be debated and voted on by the Minnesota House on Thursday. The bill would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. House Speaker Paul Thissen has previously said that scheduling the vote would be a signal that the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (the state affiliate of the Democratic party) leaders secured the 68 votes needed to pass the bill.

If the House passes the bill, the next vote would be in the state Senate. But its passage has been seen as more secure there than in the House. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has promised to sign the bill, which would allow gay couples to start getting married in Minnesota on Aug. 1.

The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to give a last committee look at the bill on Tuesday.

—Andrew Coffee

We've been writing about gay and lesbian weddings at Equally Wed Magazine for more than three years, but we have yet to see a man in a wedding dress. It's not that it hasn't been done for fun at a Pride festival or a drag show, but on an elevated level, we've been seeking to illustrate how gorgeous a man can look in a wedding gown. James, a professional model at Let's Pose Studios in Cornwall, England, had a similar dream.

"This shoot was something I wanted to do for some time as I've always dreamed of my own perfect wedding," says James. "Wearing a stunning white dress like this also gave me an idea of how special it can make you feel once the makeup and hair is complete. If I choose to wear a dress on my own day, it would have to be a high-end one by my favorite designer Vera Wang."

What do you think, guy readers? Would you opt for a wedding gown on your wedding day? Butch lesbians certainly wear suits deliciously well, and I think James does a marvelous job of rocking a frock. –Kirsten Ott Palladino 

SEE MORE FROM THE PHOTOSHOOT 

Photos by Neil Hartley

Jessica Sheady of Soiree Event Design worked with wedding vendors in Spokane, Washington, to create a stunning pictorial of a dreamy outdoor evening lesbian wedding.

Photography by Kristen Black

P.S. You should like Equally Wed on Facebook.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we rounded up a festive collection of margaritas that will spice up or sweeten your wedding reception cocktail offerings. Layers of fun ingredients such as toasted coconut, fresh strawberries, pisco, blood oranges and even vodka make these twists on the original margarita worth raising a glass to. Cheers! 

South American Margarita
Instructions:
1 1/2 ounces KAPPA Pisco
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge
1/2 ounce agave nectar
1 ounce fresh lime juice

Method:
Shaken, strained over fresh ice into rocks glass, garnish lime wheel.

Van Gogh 'Rita 

Instructions:
2 ounces Van Gogh BLUE Triple Wheat Vodka
1/2 ounce triple sec
1 ounce sour mix
2 ounce soda
2 wedges of lime

Method:
Pour the Van Gogh BLUE Triple Wheat Vodka and triple sec in a glass over ice. Top with the sour mix and soda and garnish with two lime wedges.

Blood Orange Margaritas from Smitten Kitten
Note: If you don’t have triple sec or cointreau, simple syrup will make for an equally sweet but less boozy result.
Serves 2, but only if you share.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup blood orange juice
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
3 tablespoons triple sec or cointreau, or more to taste
7 tablespoons white or “silver” tequila
Lime or blood orange slices for garnish, plus some of those drink umbrellas

Method:
Mix. Fill two glasses with ice and divide between them. Garnish. Drink and daydream.

Fresh Strawberry Coconut Margaritas from How Sweet it Is
Serves 1

Ingredients:
2 ounces Grand Marnier
1 1/2 ounces silver tequila
2 ounces lime juice
2 ounces coconut water
2 ounces cream de coconut
2 1/2 ounces strawberry simple syrup [recipe below]
Lime and fresh strawberries for garnish
Salt, sugar and toasted finely shredded coconut for the rim

Method:
Rim the ridge of your glass with a lime wedge and dip in a mix of margarita salt, sugar, toasted coconut [I used about 3 tablespoons salt to 2 teaspoons sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted coconut]. Fill the glass with ice. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grand marnier, simple syrup, coconut water, cream de coconut and lime juice with ice, and shake for about 60 seconds. Pour over ice and squeeze in lime slices and add a few strawberries. A slight bit of separation may occur from the cream de coconut, so shake well!

For strawberry simple syrup: combine equal parts sugar and water, bring to a boil and let sugar dissolve, then turn off heat and let cool completely. Combine 1 cup simply syrup and 1 1/2 cups slices strawberries in a blender and blend until combined. I don’t mind strawberry seeds, but if you’d like you can strain the mixture over a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds.

Spicy Margarita from Food Republic

Ingredients:
3 slices of muddled red peppers
2 parts Herradura Tequila
3/4 parts Cointreau
1/2 parts lime juice
1/2 parts simple syrup
Pinch of cilantro

Method:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and then pour into a glass with ice. Garnish with a slice of red pepper.

Pocono Mountains Retreat: Mount Airy Casino Resort
Mount Airy Casino Resort offers a picturesque honeymoon and wedding destination to gay, lesbian and allied couples alike.

By Allison Kootsikas

Gone are the days of heart-shaped beds and champagne glass tubs. The completely rebuilt Mount Airy Casino Resort located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania has replaced its iconic honeymoon suites with artfully decorated and elegant guest rooms, a casino with 2,000 slot machines and more than 70 table games, a full-service spa, high-end dining options, a nightclub that features celebrity entertainers, DJs, and special events, and a golf course inspired by Sports Illustrated’s Best 18 Holes in America.

Mount Airy Casino Resort is reachable with just a 2-hour drive of Philadelphia, New York City and Northern New Jersey. Rolling mountains surround you as you drive to the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Penn., home to the stunning hotel and casino. At night when it is lit up, it is even more spectacular. My wife and I were especially lucky to visit the Mount Airy Casino and Resort during the holidays; the seasonal decorations combined with sparkling snow outside provided magnificent ambience. A winter wedding in this beautiful location would be spectacular.

The guest rooms at Mount Airy Casino and Resort are brilliantly decorated and include thoughtful upgrades rich, cherry finishes, beautiful, thick bedding, comfortable chairs for lounging, double-headed, large showers, and high-end toiletries. It is clear that much thought went into the decorating of guest rooms, which provide an amazing oasis for couples. Suites are also available and are so beautifully decorated that they can provide a picturesque backdrop for an intimate wedding ceremony.

Le Sorelle Cocina

An important consideration for many couples planning a wedding or deciding where to honeymoon is catering and food options. During our time at Mount Airy Casino Resort, we indulged at Le Sorelle Cocina, Italian for “the sisters’ kitchen.” This restaurant, which is only open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, features farm-to-table ingredients reflective of the culinary influences of southern Italy. Dishes such as braised short ribs with sweet pea tortellini and spaghettini with lobster warmed us on a cold winter’s night. Mount Airy also houses Red’s Steakhouse, open Friday-Tuesday evenings. Although we were not able to sample Red’s cuisine, frequent guests we spoke to at the resort raved about dry aged steaks. Red's and Le Sorelle Concina are next door to each other and share an outer bar where you can get before and after dinner drinks in an upscale and relaxing atmosphere. There is also an intimate private dining room for small groups area located in between the two restaurants that would make an ideal location for a rehearsal dinner. Because of its location, food served in the private dining room can be catered by either of these two fine dining establishments. Casual dining options also include Betty’s Diner (featuring American classics such a cheeseburgers and French fries), Noodle Bar (Asian inspired cuisine), as well as a traditional buffet that includes options ranging from omelet stations to seafood buffet dinners. Mount Airy Casino and Resort also houses its very own Starbucks.

Mount Airy Resort Casino is a dreamy wedding venue, complete with a full-service spa and salon available for pampering you and your wedding party. Your wedding party can be together as you get pedicures and manicures, as well as hair and makeup before the big day. Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries can be served for you and your guests as you take time to pamper yourselves. You can also relax with massages, a eucalyptus steam room, a sauna, and a relaxation room. As a guest of the spa, you have access to all of these calming relaxing elements during your treatment. Lounge areas for guests include relaxing lounge chairs, tea, infused water, and peace and quiet before the boisterous wedding ceremony. My wife and I treated ourselves to the ultra in spa services: Swedish massages provided by stress-releasing massage therapists. Afterward, we continued our couple’s time in the eucalyptus spa room and relaxation area—it was absolute bliss.

There are options for both indoor and outdoor weddings at Mount Airy Casino Resort. If you’ve always dreamed of an outdoor wedding, you might consider getting married by the lake under the gazebo, built specially for weddings. There are plans in the future to expand the conference center allowing for more wedding options to come. In addition, Mount Airy Casino Resort also plans to open an indoor/outdoor pool and amphitheatre this summer. For weddings, you can use your own clergy person or be married by Catherine Thayer. Catherine has worked with Mount Airy Casino and Resort for nearly 20 years and is a non-denominational minister. We found Catherine to be absolutely delightful. The friendly, warm and thoughtful wedding officiant shared with us her own experiences planning a wedding for her daughter and her soon-to-be wife.

Lastly, the Mount Airy Casino Resort provides extensive options for wedding packages that can support small to large weddings. Wedding packages generally include complimentary valet parking, audio/visual equipment, room rentals, bar services, linens, a wedding cake, and an elegant meal for guests. One of their most popular packages, The Queen of Hearts, starts at $59 per person for a minimum of 30 guests. Upgrades are available for an additional cost.

With a rich history of pampering couples that has only been improved by its recent transformation, the Mount Airy Resort Casino is an excellent setting for both weddings and honeymoons. Although married twice already, we were certainly inspired by the setting and hope to return to renew our vows with Catherine someday soon.

Mount Airy Casino Resort
44 Woodland Road
Mt Pocono, PA 18344
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Jason Collins is the first openly gay active male athlete in a major U.S. team sport. Photo: Kwaku Alston/SI

Editor's note: This story appears in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated.

By Jason Collins

I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons.

I've played for six pro teams and have appeared in two NBA Finals. Ever heard of a parlor game called Three Degrees of Jason Collins? If you're in the league, and I haven't been your teammate, I surely have been one of your teammates' teammates. Or one of your teammates' teammates' teammates.

Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.

Why am I coming out now? Well, I started thinking about this in 2011 during the NBA player lockout. I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall. But the lockout wreaked havoc on my habits and forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want. With the season delayed, I trained and worked out. But I lacked the distraction that basketball had always provided.

The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. "I've known you were gay for years," she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin. In her presence I ignored my censor button for the first time. She gave me support. The relief I felt was a sweet release. Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know—I baked for 33 years.

When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.

I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, "Me, too."

The recent Boston Marathon bombing reinforced the notion that I shouldn't wait for the circumstances of my coming out to be perfect. Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully? When I told Joe a few weeks ago that I was gay, he was grateful that I trusted him. He asked me to join him in 2013. We'll be marching on June 8.

No one wants to live in fear. I've always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don't sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly. It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret. I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back.

Believe it or not, my family has had bigger shocks. Strange as it seems today, my parents expected only one child in 1978. Me. When I came out (for the first time) the doctors congratulated my mother on her healthy, seven-pound, one-ounce baby boy. "Wait!" said a nurse. "Here comes another one!" The other one, who arrived eight minutes later and three ounces heavier, was Jarron. He's followed me ever since, to Stanford and to the NBA, and as the ever-so-slightly older brother I've looked out for him.

I had a happy childhood in the suburbs of L.A. My parents instilled in us an appreciation of history, art and, most important, Motown. Jarron and I weren't allowed to listen to rap until we were 12. After our birthday I dashed to Target and bought DJ Quik's album Quik Is the Name. I memorized every line. It was around this time that I began noticing subtle differences between Jarron and me. Our twinness was no longer synchronized. I couldn't identify with his attraction to girls.

I feel blessed that I recognized my own attractions. Though I resisted my impulses through high school, I knew that when I was ready I had someone to turn to: my uncle Mark in New York. I knew we could talk without judgment, and we did last summer. Uncle Mark is gay. He and his partner have been in a stable relationship forever. For a confused young boy, I can think of no better role model of love and compassion.

I didn't come out to my brother until last summer. His reaction to my breakfast revelation was radically different from Aunt Teri's. He was downright astounded. He never suspected. So much for twin telepathy. But by dinner that night, he was full of brotherly love. For the first time in our lives, he wanted to step in and protect me.

My maternal grandmother was apprehensive about my plans to come out. She grew up in rural Louisiana and witnessed the horrors of segregation. During the civil rights movement she saw great bravery play out amid the ugliest aspects of humanity. She worries that I am opening myself up to prejudice and hatred. I explained to her that in a way, my coming out is preemptive. I shouldn't have to live under the threat of being outed. The announcement should be mine to make, not TMZ's.

The hardest part of this is the realization that my entire family will be affected. But my relatives have told me repeatedly that as long as I'm happy, they're there for me. I watch as my brother and friends from college start their own families. Changing diapers is a lot of work, but children bring so much joy. I'm crazy about my nieces and nephew, and I can't wait to start a family of my own.

I'm from a close-knit family. My parents instilled Christian values in me. They taught Sunday school, and I enjoyed lending a hand. I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding. On family trips, my parents made a point to expose us to new things, religious and cultural. In Utah, we visited the Mormon Salt Lake Temple. In Atlanta, the house of Martin Luther King Jr. That early exposure to otherness made me the guy who accepts everyone unconditionally.

I'm learning to embrace the puzzle that is me. After I was traded by the Celtics to Washington in February, I took a detour to the Dr. King memorial. I was inspired and humbled. I celebrate being an African-American and the hardships of the past that still resonate today. But I don't let my race define me any more than I want my sexual orientation to. I don't want to be labeled, and I can't let someone else's label define me.

On the court I graciously accept one label sometimes bestowed on me: "the pro's pro." I got that handle because of my fearlessness and my commitment to my teammates. I take charges and I foul—that's been my forte. In fact, during the 2004-05 season my 322 personals led the NBA. I enter the court knowing I have six hard fouls to give. I set picks with my 7-foot, 255-pound body to get guys like Jason Kidd, John Wall and Paul Pierce open. I sacrifice myself for other players. I look out for teammates as I would my kid brother.

I go against the gay stereotype, which is why I think a lot of players will be shocked: That guy is gay?

I'm not afraid to take on any opponent. I love playing against the best. Though Shaquille O'Neal is a Hall of Famer, I never shirked from the challenge of trying to frustrate the heck out of him. (Note to Shaq: My flopping has nothing to do with being gay.) My mouthpiece is in, and my wrists are taped. Go ahead, take a swing—I'll get up. I hate to say it, and I'm not proud of it, but I once fouled a player so hard that he had to leave the arena on a stretcher.

I go against the gay stereotype, which is why I think a lot of players will be shocked: That guy is gay? But I've always been an aggressive player, even in high school. Am I so physical to prove that being gay doesn't make you soft? Who knows? That's something for a psychologist to unravel. My motivations, like my contributions, don't show up in box scores, and frankly I don't care about stats. Winning is what counts. I want to be evaluated as a team player.

Loyalty to my team is the real reason I didn't come out sooner. When I signed a free-agent contract with Boston last July, I decided to commit myself to the Celtics and not let my personal life become a distraction. When I was traded to the Wizards, the political significance of coming out sunk in. I was ready to open up to the press, but I had to wait until the season was over.

A college classmate tried to persuade me to come out then and there. But I couldn't yet. My one small gesture of solidarity was to wear jersey number 98 with the Celtics and then the Wizards. The number has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found. That same year the Trevor Project was founded. This amazing organization provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention to kids struggling with their sexual identity. Trust me, I know that struggle. I've struggled with some insane logic. When I put on my jersey I was making a statement to myself, my family and my friends.

The strain of hiding my sexuality became almost unbearable in March, when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for and against same-sex marriage. Less than three miles from my apartment, nine jurists argued about my happiness and my future. Here was my chance to be heard, and I couldn't say a thing. I didn't want to answer questions and draw attention to myself. Not while I was still playing.

I'm glad I'm coming out in 2013 rather than 2003. The climate has shifted; public opinion has shifted. And yet we still have so much farther to go. Everyone is terrified of the unknown, but most of us don't want to return to a time when minorities were openly discriminated against. I'm impressed with the straight pro athletes who have spoken up so far—Chris Kluwe, Brendon Ayanbadejo. The more people who speak out, the better, gay or straight. It starts with President Obama's mentioning the 1969 Stonewall riots, which launched the gay rights movement, during his second inaugural address. And it extends to the grade-school teacher who encourages her students to accept the things that make us different.

By its nature, my double life has kept me from getting close to any of my teammates. Early in my career I worked hard at acting straight, but as I got more comfortable in my straight mask it required less effort. In recent days, though, little has separated "mask on, mask off." Personally, I don't like to dwell in someone else's private life, and I hope players and coaches show me the same respect. When I'm with my team I'm all about working hard and winning games. A good teammate supports you no matter what.

I've been asked how other players will respond to my announcement. The simple answer is, I have no idea. I'm a pragmatist. I hope for the best, but plan for the worst. The biggest concern seems to be that gay players will behave unprofessionally in the locker room. Believe me, I've taken plenty of showers in 12 seasons. My behavior wasn't an issue before, and it won't be one now. My conduct won't change. I still abide by the adage, "What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room." I'm still a model of discretion.

As I write this, I haven't come out to anyone in the NBA. I'm not privy to what other players say about me. Maybe Mike Miller, my old teammate in Memphis, will recall the time I dropped by his house in Florida and say, "I enjoyed being his teammate, and I sold him a dog." I hope players swap stories like that. Maybe they'll talk about my character and what kind of person I am.

As far as the reaction of fans, I don't mind if they heckle me. I've been booed before. There have been times when I've wanted to boo myself. But a lot of ill feelings can be cured by winning.

I'm a veteran, and I've earned the right to be heard. I'll lead by example and show that gay players are no different from straight ones. I'm not the loudest person in the room, but I'll speak up when something isn't right. And try to make everyone laugh.

I've never sought the spotlight. Though I'm coming out to the world, I intend to guard my privacy. I'm making this blanket statement in part to keep rumors and misunderstandings at bay. I hope fans will respect me for raising my hand. And I hope teammates will remember that I've never been an in-your-face kind of guy. All you need to know is that I'm single. I see no need to delve into specifics.

I've been asked how other players will respond to my announcement. The simple answer is, I have no idea. I'm a pragmatist. I hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

Look at what happened in the military when the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was repealed. Critics of the repeal were sure that out military members would devastate morale and destroy civilization. But a new study conducted by scholars from every branch of the armed forces except the Coast Guard concluded that "cohesion did not decline after the new policy of open service was put into place. In fact, greater openness and honesty resulting from repeal seem to have promoted increased understanding, respect and acceptance."

The same goes for sports. Doc Rivers, my coach on the Celtics, says, "If you want to go quickly, go by yourself -- if you want to go farther, go in a group." I want people to pull together and push ahead.

Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start. It all comes down to education. I'll sit down with any player who's uneasy about my coming out. Being gay is not a choice. This is the tough road and at times the lonely road. Former players like Tim Hardaway, who said "I hate gay people" (and then became a supporter of gay rights), fuel homophobia. Tim is an adult. He's entitled to his opinion. God bless America. Still, if I'm up against an intolerant player, I'll set a pretty hard pick on him. And then move on.

The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family. Being genuine and honest makes me happy.

I'm glad I can stop hiding and refocus on my 13th NBA season. I've been running through the Santa Monica Mountains in a 30-pound vest with Shadow, the German shepherd I got from Mike Miller. In the pros, the older you get, the better shape you must be in. Next season a few more eyeballs are likely to be on me. That only motivates me to work harder.

Some people insist they've never met a gay person. But Three Degrees of Jason Collins dictates that no NBA player can claim that anymore. Pro basketball is a family. And pretty much every family I know has a brother, sister or cousin who's gay. In the brotherhood of the NBA, I just happen to be the one who's out.

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