Mercury Rising
Wow, we’re only into our second issue of publication, and we’ve already come so far. From the moment Equally Wed magazine launched at the end of March, we heard from so many of you: engaged couples, already-married couples, wishful shacked-up and waiting-for-the-ring readers, activists, vendors and even a few mega brands. Your notes of kindness, congrats and support all included two words that touched my heart to the core: “Thank you.” You can read some of these messages in our new Letters section. Please know that we read each and every one of your notes and comments. We want to hear from you. Share your weddings, your engagements, your fashion finds, your experiences in planning and what more we can do for you. Not only can you write in to me at kpalladino@equallywed.com, but you can also Tweet with me @kirs10palladino, as well as interact with us and readers like you on Facebook and our Community forum.
The media has been so kind to us, and we’re grateful. Equally Wed was featured in the June cover story of The Advocate magazine, “150 Reasons to be Proud.” Heavy-hitters such as Jezebel.com, Gawker.com, MediaBistro.com, Queerty.com, TheFrisky.com, AisleDash.com, AutoStraddle.com, AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com have all written about our launch and our magazine. We’ve also received a great deal of press in our headquarter city of Atlanta, especially after our recent launch party hosted by the gorgeous and gracious AltoRex Rooftop Lounge at the Hotel Palomar, part of the über-gay-friendly Kimpton Hotels brand. 
On a sultry night in late June, close to three hundred of Atlanta’s movers and shakers and gay community noshed on scrumptious bites from the luminary Pacci Ristorante and the talented Executive Chef Keira Moritz and sipped on signature Belvedere grapefruit spritzers as we celebrated our launch and marriage equality in swank style. We also raised money for Georgia Equality in the process.
We also attended another fab soiree in June. Equally Wed was the proud national media sponsor of the first-ever Illegal Wedding Fair in NYC. Our publisher and my wife, Maria Palladino, and I met wonderful couples and gay-friendly wedding vendors from the region. You can find these professionals along with many others in our Local Resources, a marketplace of gay-friendly wedding vendors in the United States and Canada.
In the pages of our Summer issue, we hope you’ll be inspired while planning your own wedding, honeymoon or engagement. We’ve got everything under the sun, from tips for men and masculine women on how to get started with makeup to an interview with celebrity cake artist Duff Goldman of “Ace of Cakes” to spotlights on Real Weddings to real issues our community is facing, such as transgender couples who were legally married and are now in a same-sex marriage, and navigating the waiting periods for marriage licenses in states that recognize gay marriage. And, of course, so much more. In addition to our quarterly online magazine, we also will continue to add new articles every week, as well as regular blog posts on news on marriage equality, style, ideas and inspiration.
One of the most promising parts of the rise of Equally Wed magazine is the increased visibility of normal, everyday gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer couples just wanting to plan their weddings like everybody else. We appreciate you allowing us to be a part of your lives and helping us grow. Together, we can do this!
Kirsten Palladino
