It might be more romantic than you think…

The ceremony will be held in Business Class for a start, the entire business class section will be turned into an exclusive wedding cabin, and before you even get onto the plane they'll make their airport lounge into a wedding celebration area too. There is also a rather yummy honeymoon included in the prize:

The lucky couple who will spread their love worldwide will win an exclusive wedding and honeymoon package that includes Business class flights with SAS to New York, three nights at one of New York's most luxurious hotels, the W Hotel, and then flights to Los Angeles to enjoy another three nights at the fabulous Andaz West Hollywood, as well as some of the best dining, nightlife and pampering West Hollywood has to offer, resulting in a glamorous West Hollywood honeymoon experience.

Well that sounds lovely doesn't it?

Coo! A really gay-friendly airline!

Taking a look around their site, I like the look of SAS. This is an excerpt from their "About Us" section.

Scandinavian Airlines is the national airline of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. As these are three of the world's most progressive, liberal and LGBT-friendly countries, SAS likes to represent its region and people well. This fall we are planning to launch a number of initiatives to make us even more LGBT-friendly.
SAS is already one of Europe's most LGBT-conscious airlines:
•    SAS was the first European airline to launch a gay microsite (www.flysas.com/gay) in 2007
•    SAS was the Official Airline of the World Out Games in Copenhagen in 2009
•    SAS was the Official Airline of Mr Gay World in Oslo in 2010
•    SAS is a member of IGLTA (the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association)
•    SAS works closely with the Scandinavian tourist boards to promote LGBT travel
•    Internally, SAS demands same sex travel rights with all other airlines for all its staff

What a contrast to all the woe in California, eh?

So if you want your chance to win this fab competition, go to http://love.flysas.net/?location=eu and create your profile. Let us know if you've entered and we'll do our best to help you get votes!

People, all over the world, struggling, fighting for their lives, their freedom, their rights and there was I, sitting comfortably in a car park, in a country whose leaders were squabbling about margarine.

I had another one of those moments today when I read a news article from CNN about how gay couples are still being prevented from marrying each other in California. There may be a lot wrong with Britain, but my goodness, at least we've got it right when it comes to allowing people to express love and commitment regardless of their sexuality.

Even though a federal judge made a decision earlier this month to allow gay couples to marry in California, ruling that the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage violated federal civil rights laws, a subsequent appeals court ruling has temporarily blocked the resumption of same-sex marriages.

Gay couples in California have been struggling for the right to marry for years

This is another gut-wrenching twist in the two-year long roller coaster ride for gay marriage activists in California, and it makes me so sad for the couples who just want to celebrate their love and commitment publicly.

Proposition 8 centred on the statement that marriage can only exist between a man and a woman. Well, that's upheld here too, but the difference is that we've created a civil partnership bill that allows gay couples to effectively marry without ruffling any feathers regarding the definition of marriage. If only the same could be done across the whole of America, where there is still so much prejudice.

At the time of writing this, CNN reports that same sex marriage is currently legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa, and New Hampshire, and in the District of Columbia, while civil unions are permitted in New Jersey. Not many places when you consider the size of the United States.

It's so sad. I need to remember how lucky we are in this regard the next time I shake my fist at the news. At least we've got something right. Come on California, it's the 21st century for heaven's sake!

"We are making a major new Channel 4 series provisionally titled The Village. We are looking for individuals, couples and families who would love the opportunity to start a new life in the English countryside; they will have the chance to win a 3 bedroom cottage located in a small idyllic village in Yorkshire.

The series will follow the participants as they move to the village for a week and sample their potential new life and home. During the week's filming they will get involved in village life, meeting the residents and demonstrating to them why they would be a valued member of the community. The local residents will then decide on who wins the home and becomes the newest resident of the village.

Participants must be over 18 and initially be available to film for one to possibly three weeks during September or October. Anyone interested in applying must also realistically be looking to relocate and start a new life in the Village should they be lucky enough to win the competition.

The Village is commuting distance from Leeds and the competition is open to anyone over the age of 18.

For more information and to find out how to apply, email: thevillage@studiolambert.com or call on: 0207 534 2029 "

If that sounds like your cup of tea why not get in touch? If you are picked, let us know so we can tell everyone and we'll know who to root for!

I have personally spoken to several gay couples who have told me about how poorly they've been treated and I discussed this issue in a recent interview with Gino Meriano. He said:

"I'm so glad you ask that, because there are some people who can't believe that it is needed, but homophobia is still there, even after all these years of civil partnership ceremonies, and it is definitely present in the traditional wedding industry. I've been to straight wedding fayres and exhibited as Pink Weddings, the abuse from exhibitors and visitors was incredible."

Read the full interview here

I'm an optimistic person (on a good day) and I like to think that life for gay people in Britain is getting better. However, a recent conversation with Sharon at Best Dress 2 Impress has brought this back to the forefront of our minds.

Sharon is one of the latest wedding business owners to advertise with The Gay Wedding Organizer, and she told us how several of her customers have experienced poor treatment prior to finding her.

The first thing she told us about was this: "A lesbian couple told me that they went into a bridal shop to look for dresses together and in the end had to 'pretend' that they were a bride and her best friend looking for dresses as the shop assistants made them feel so uncomfortable. They felt embarrassed and left."

This makes me furious – and so upset for the couple involved. Have you had any similar experiences?

Sharon went on to tell us about another incident involving a gay man who wanted to enquire about dresses, but as soon as he opened his mouth the shop assistant said that she didn't serve men.

Sharon said this in an e-mail to me this week and I couldn't agree more: "In my mind this is just outrageous as you shouldn't refuse to serve a person based on colour, creed, gender etc; but this is still happening frequently. Only last week I had a text from a lovely man who had obviously been treated badly and he also wants a dress but explained that he 'understood' if I did not want to deal with him. My response was ' when would you like to visit me and try on a few gowns?'  I'm also helping him with corsets, stockings and a veil!"

All I can say is thank goodness he found Sharon.

We have to do something about this!

I have a plan brewing in my heart, one that will need a lot of input from you, dear readers. First, I want to hear about your experiences – both good and bad. This isn't to name and shame, but to bring your experiences out into the open so we can see what is really happening out there in wedding land.

•    Have you ever been made to feel uncomfortable when approaching a wedding company?

•    Have you ever been treated differently once the supplier has discovered you're arranging a civil partnership ceremony and celebration?

•    Have you had any experiences similar to the ones Sharon told me about?

Please do let us know in the comments. This is really important; we have the opportunity to not only talk about it, but also tell the industry what needs to change. Let's make that happen.

It looks like there's lots lined up for the 2010 Pride, with live music, all kinds of stalls, places to dance, socialise and have a cuppa.

One thing in particular that we're excited about is the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender wedding fair being held in the ‘Irwin Mitchell Rainbow Weddings Tent’ organised by local wedding planner ‘Boho Weddings and Events’.

Here's what they have lined up for the event:

•         Wedding suppliers exhibiting and offering demonstrations of their products and services.

•         Goodie bags filled with civil partnership information and magazines.

•         Live entertainment in the form of swing singer Chris Heathcote, dancing from Salwa Belly Dancers and DJing from Sheffield’s finest Rich Williams.

•         A photo booth area for you to dress up and have your picture taken.

•         Make-up and hair demonstrations from professional make-up artist Catherine Elizabeth

•         A bridal fashion show showcasing all the latest wedding outfits from Mirage Couture and flowers from Orchis

•         AND a couple getting married (well blessed…no way to get over the legal technicalities!) with a ceremony area set up for you to watch the happy couple get hitched!

Kelly from Boho Weddings and Events said; "This is a wedding fair with a difference with the full focus on Civil Partnerships, providing a fun yet informative day. There will be something for everyone!"

Sounds good to us! If you want to find out more and work out how to get there, go to either the Sheffield Pride site or check out the information on the Boho Weddings and Events site.

Have fun! And if you do go, let us know all about it!

They're looking for couples to feature in the fourth series and the big incentive (apart from your minutes of fame of course) is that they'll contribute £12,000 to the cost of your wedding. Wow…

So, if you want a chance for your big day to be in a big wedding TV show, all you need to do is email weddings@renegadepictures.co.uk or call 0207 462 4539. Good luck! And if you are picked, please do come and tell us!

Nepal has been doing great things for gay rights and equality in recent years, and has an openly gay member of parliament who has undoubtedly been a huge driving force behind a lot of the changes seen there. Nepal is expected to enshrine same-sex marriage in a new constitution.

So we should be happy about this, right?

I read these press releases with mixed feelings. On the one hand I was delighted to see that another country is adding itself to the list of destinations that are gay-friendly, and to say "Come to us!" takes us closer towards a world with more places in it for gay couples to celebrate their weddings and be free to be together, in public, with no hassle.

On the other hand, it's made me miserable. But why would this make you miserable, (you might ask), seeing as you write for a blog that is all about gay marriage and making it easier for everyone?

There are two reasons: the money thing and the 'it-being-news' thing. Let me explain

The money in gay marriage

Whenever I read one of these press releases or articles, there is inevitably a mention of how legalising gay marriage/becoming a gay honeymoon destination (delete as applicable) is set to bring in millions of the relevant currency because gay couples have lots of disposable income.

That may be true, but it makes me sad that it's trotted out every time like some kind of capitalist justification for the decision to be gay-friendly. Forget the fact that it's something that should have happened a long time ago, forget the fact that it's surely a basic human right to be able to express love and commitment regardless of one's sexual orientation. No, just concentrate on the fact that it will bring cash into the resort. Humpf.

The 'it-being-news' thing

The fact that this is worthy of many press releases, and that those press releases have been recycled into newspaper articles all over the world, just makes me realise how far we have to go until there is true equality and acceptance of gay marriage.

The day that a country or specific destination says "Hey, if you're having a gay marriage, come here for the honeymoon, we'd love to have you" and no-one thinks that is newsworthy is the day I'm waiting for. When no-one notices, it means that true acceptance has happened and we can all just get on with our lives, loving and marrying who we choose, straight or gay, Star Trek fans or medieval re-enactors, bungy-jumping couples or church wedding lovers.

Until then, you can always get married on Everest. Might be a bit tricky for the guests though…

When: 7th March 12-5pm
Where: St James's Hotel and Club, London (Directions to the hotel)
Entrance Fee: None! You will be given the opportunity to donate to charity in lieu of an entrance fee.
The Gay Wedding Show website

The Gay Wedding Show venue

The show is being held at the gorgeous St James's Hotel and Club in Central London, near to Green Park. Victoria train station is fifteen minutes walk away, and Green Park Underground station is only 2 minutes walk away.

The fayre is being held in the lower ground floor, a beautiful network of interconnecting rooms including a library, reading room and one called the Mayfair room which sounds divine.

The exhibitors

Gino has gathered together a fantastic variety of exhibitors, ranging from a jeweller to a financial advisor and including a photographer, florist, menswear specialist, honeymoon agency and House of Fraser gift list representative. All are reputable suppliers who are absolutely guaranteed to be gay-friendly.

Tickets

Even though the event is free, if you download an e-ticket before the day, you can enter a competition with a stonking first prize: 3 nights in Las Vegas for two people. Find out more and download your ticket.

Donations to charity

When you arrive, you'll be given the opportunity to make a donation of up to £2, which is passed on in entirety to a selection of charities.

So what are you waiting for? If you can be in London on the 7th of March, drop in and meet Gino and the gay wedding show exhibitors in what promises to be a rather special gay wedding fayre. Have fun!

Read the article on the Independent website