By Selena Fragassi
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With same-sex marriages now recognized in 36 states, event venues are showing a lot of love for the LGBTQ community with new marketing and planning strategies that make everyone feel included.

It was a decision that was applauded by the campus’ LGBTQ Center that has often supported and collaborated with the event department to help guide the planning of functions like gay-friendly proms, which they have hosted for four years. “Just like visiting the chaplain’s office for certain religious ceremonies I’m not familiar with, I’ll meet with the Center to ensure that what we are doing is in no way offensive,” says Kraft.
It’s one of the benefits of working with niche venues like campuses and universities that have built-in resources to cater to all backgrounds. At the University of Montana in Missoula, there is a UM Allies Program “where we train our staff on diversity awareness,” says Shannon Brilz, director, Montana Event Services.

Yet it wasn’t just the campus that went the extra mile. The Power Of One organizers received funding through a joint effort of the Missoula CVB and the Downtown Business Improvement District to bring the conference to town.

Doing so is not only a measure of goodwill but also financially responsible as gay-friendly events continue to become a growing client segment.
Across the country in San Francisco, locations like Bently Reserve have recognized this and put together special packages to cater to the gay wedding and event market such as a 20% discount for rentals on Sundays throughout 2015. Here, the former federal bank transformed into a special event venue, has a long connection to the community in a city that has often been considered the heart of the gay rights movement. Bently Reserve has hosted Aids Walk ceremonies, Prop 8 functions and some of the first gay weddings in the country and they look to build on that portfolio with the special incentive.


Kraft couldn’t agree more. “The energy is very high right now,” she says, “and it’s really refreshing to meet these couples that have been together for so many years who are finally ready for a grand celebration.”
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Bently Reserve
UniqueVenues.com/BentlyReserve
(415) 294.2226
University of Montana
UniqueVenues.com/universityofmontana
(406) 243.4113
University of Pennsylvania – Perelman Quadrangle
UniqueVenues.com/PerelmanQuadrangle
(215) 573.5011