Online Voting Opens to Public

Washington, DC — August 1, 2010 — Freedom2Wed online voting, open to the public, begins today for the six finalists who have been selected in the first of its kind online wedding competition for same sex couples. Freedom2Wed was conceived by a group of prominent Washington-area wedding vendors in honor of the passage of the DC Marriage Equality Act. The winning couple will receive the wedding of a lifetime, valued at over $100,000.

According to Michael Kress, owner of MBK & Associates and a well-known Washington photographer who led the effort, “Deciding on 6 finalists from so many terrific entries was difficult but we are thrilled by their diversity and enthusiasm. Their video stories are compelling and collectively they emphasize why Same Sex Marriage is a historic marker for civil rights in this country.”

To vote for one of the finalists, go to www.freedom2wed.com. Online votes will be accepted through September 30th at12 midnight.

A Snapshot of the Finalists

Holly Nye & Alyson Ling — together 5 ½ years
“Alyson is my icing. She doesn’t make me who I am; she’s not the cake. She is secure enough to allow me to be that on my own. But she is the thing that makes me better. My icing.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOyfZUETzyI

Kareem Murphy & DeWayne Davis — together 19 years
“The truth is, we didn’t have much more than each other. Our families either didn’t understand our relationship or did not approve of it. We’re proud to be a part of a church (Metropolitan Community Churches) that has been celebrating same-sex Holy Unions since 1969. It’s a great life when you can incorporate all of your life’s passions and interest into everything you do.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPw0ZfcHo9Y

Melissa Pisarra & Ana Quinones — together almost 4 years
“Through all of the trials that life has given us, we have survived together. Sharing the love
We have with friends and family would mean everything to us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKE3fbtarDw

Robert Heffernan & Richard Cesa — together 10 years
“We’ve both experienced the heavy, hidden burden of being gay and would like to be an example to other gay couples: a gay relationship is an honorable commitment.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zInCMrSU04

Tonya Agnew & Amy Crampton — together nearly 12 years
“How do we explain to our six year-old son that the State of Indiana won’t allow us to legally wed because we are the same sex? Raising a family in the Midwest as a lesbian couple is challenging but regardless, we’re visible. While Indiana can regulate our ability to obtain a marriage license, the state can’t regulate our love. Our relationship is solid and certain and we can’t wait for the day when we can say, “I do.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4AvDmCEfes

Darin Henderson & Carl Cox — together 4 years
“We realized early on that while individually imperfect, our strengths complement one another. Couple that with the love we share…we are twice as strong. But at long last, as the direct result of decades of activism and a groundswell of community support, we feel blessed, grateful and are thoroughly excited to be engaged and preparing for marriage.”
http://www.youtube.com/user/CarlAndDarin#p/u/0/ngGlYPNOpF8

In addition to Kress, The Freedom2Wed competition organizers include Kelly Jenkins, Capital Décor and Events; Jodi Moraru, Evoke; and, Steve Dunn, Well Dunn Catering; all of whom served as the first round of judges. The winning couple will be announced October 1st.

The Freedom2Wed winning couple will be married on a designated date. The all-inclusive wedding package includes venue, invitation design and printing, attire, rings, rental equipment, flowers, lighting, live music, videography, a California honeymoon package and more.

The D.C. Council passed the Civil Marriage Equality Act in December 2009, joining five states in legalizing same-sex marriage; the law went into effect on March 3, 2010.

For more information, go to www.freedom2wed.com.

“The Dream Wedding”

In celebration of the passing of the Same – sex marriage law in the District of Columbia an exclusive group of the top wedding vendors in Washington DC have teamed up to offer one lucky couple the event of a lifetime.

Partnership for Partnership: Our Nation’s Capital believes in equality to wed and so do we. Through online voting, a selected same sex couple will receive a complete wedding package to include wedding rings, wedding attire, wedding ceremony, invitations, decorated reception location, catering for 150 guests, elaborate table settings and flowers, wedding photography and video services, specialty lighting, live music and professional wedding coordinating. The vendors involved are some of the area’s most sought after and acclaimed wedding professionals in the business, and will be at your disposal for this magical event.:

Event Organizers

• Michael Kress: MBK & Assoc.
• Kelly Jenkins: Capitol Decor and Events
• Jodi Moraru: www.evokedc.com
• Steve Dunn: Well Dunn Catering

The winner of this contest will be chosen by online voting at Freedom2Wed and dcGayWED.