Wanna get hitched? Go to Whistler young man

[KQ]

At Whistler, gay marriage already a reality

By Young Chang
Seattle Times staff reporter


BONNY MAKAREWICZ


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Australia couple Daniel O'Brien, 35, and Gregory Lording, 39, check out the view at the top of Whistler Mountain, B.C., on Wednesday. The pair are among the 4,000 people visiting as part of Altitude Twelve, an annual gay and lesbian ski event.



WHISTLER MOUNTAIN, B.C. — News that the highest court in Massachusetts had strengthened its support of same-sex marriages echoed loudly around the slopes of this British Columbia resort this week.

With as many as 4,000 people visiting as part of Altitude Twelve, an annual gay and lesbian ski event, and with weddings being offered this year for the first time in the event's 12-year history, fliers urging visitors to get married during their trip began disappearing at a fast clip soon after the court's ruling Wednesday.

British Columbia legalized same-sex weddings last July.

"It's fantastic to be in a country that's legally accepting of gay marriages," said Ernie Lou, 44, a marketing manager for Microsoft and Seattle resident visiting Altitude Twelve with friends. "I think all of us wish the United States would do the same."

The Massachusetts high court cleared the way for the nation's first same-sex marriages, which could come as early as May, by ruling that anything less than full, equal marriage rights for gay couples is unconstitutional.

The Altitude Twelve festivities, which kicked off last Saturday, attract visitors from around the world. This year, the event is expected to generate $3 million to $4 million in revenues for the resort, local restaurants and other service businesses, said Rodney Plante, Altitude Twelve assistant producer. It is one of the resort's top money-producing weeks of the year, and as of yesterday, Plante said, attendance was ahead of last year.


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Beat Hostettler of Switzerland, Sean Hensley of Florida and Greg MacMillin of Toronto get acquainted Wednesday during the Altitude Twelve gay and lesbian ski event in Whistler Mountain, B.C.


There has been at least one wedding so far this week, and there will be two more by Sunday, according to Paula Mohammed, co-owner of Whistler Gay Weddings. Since Feb. 1, the Resort Municipality of Whistler has issued six marriage licenses, including five for same-sex couples, said Danae MacLean, spokeswoman for the municipality.

But regardless of whether they want to get married, U.S. visitors say it's nice to know they can exchange vows here — even if they wouldn't be recognized in the United States. For others, it's just a part of what makes them comfortable walking down the street holding hands.

"It's like our perfect world," said Dana Hamel, a 32-year-old interior designer, also from Seattle. "One where you can say, 'Oh, you're straight?' "

While the mood about the weddings is ebullient, not to mention the skiing, boarding and nonstop partying in local clubs, this year there is also a somber undertone because of the sudden death in December of Altitude Twelve founder and producer Brent Benaschak, 41. Police have not yet ruled whether Benaschak's death — in a mysterious fall from his Vancouver apartment — was an accident or suicide.

Plante, who wears a button bearing Benaschak's photo, fields questions daily about his friend's passing. Organizers announced Wednesday they will rename Altitude's annual Comedy Night and Silent Auction after Benaschak, who used to donate all the proceeds from that night — $26,000 last year — to the Western Canada Pediatric AIDS Society.

"There's a desire to see another fantastic year despite the tragic circumstances we're all dealing with," Plante said.

Among Lou's friends is Shane Miller, whom he met at a coming-out support group in Seattle about six years ago. They both had been married to women for seven years; Miller hadn't been to a gay bar until he attended the group.

Today, Lou and Miller, who works in medical-equipment training, are close friends who know that this time every year, they'll meet in Whistler.

At dinner Wednesday, conversations turned to other gay events around the country — like those held in Palm Springs and Miami that, people here say, focus largely on sexual pairings. By contrast, Lou and Miller said, the Altitude festival is more about companionship and easy comfort.

Miller brought his partner, Tom Wethington, who works for a brokerage/property-management company. Though they're not getting married — at least this trip — they each wear a ring. Miller enjoys being able to walk around Whistler with a cluster of men, knowing that people for once aren't wondering, "Why are there no women?"

Lou said he and his partner would be having a commitment ceremony in Seattle, even though it would not be legally recognized.

"Now that we have this very large (accommodating) country to our north, we all feel that it will positively help and influence some of the beliefs of the United States and Americans to be more supportive," he said.

Australians Daniel O'Brien, 35, and Gregory Lording, 39, who have been together for three months, talked about returning to Whistler next year to get married.

They contrasted Altitude Twelve to gay cruises, pointing out that hundreds of straight couples come to Whistler this week for the night life. O'Brien said he prefers the integrated setting.

"It's nice to celebrate," Lording said. "But it's nice to celebrate in a mixed world."

[The Reverend Floater]

Pretty kewl. Too bad GW and Asscroft can't be a bit more progressive.

[Honc]

Originally posted by KQ

"It's fantastic to be in a country that's legally accepting of gay marriages," said Ernie Lou, 44, a marketing manager for Microsoft and Seattle resident visiting Altitude Twelve with friends. "I think all of us wish the United States would do the same."

Will using Microsoft's name in this article become an issue?

[joshbu]

Originally posted by Honc
Will using Microsoft's name in this article become an issue?

Doubtful. From Microsoft's Employees Handbook...

At-will employment does not mean Microsoft can discriminate against you, and it does not in any way lessen Microsoft's commitment to equal employment opportunity. Your right not to be discriminated against or harassed based on a protected classification, such as gender, race, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status, is independent of the idea of at-will employment.

[The AD]

I've been up there during Altitude week. It's pretty entertaining, but I have to admit I felt a little uncomfortable at times (slow pitch).

[Platinum Pete]

Good for Whistler.
All the Mass. ski hills should offer gay weddings, too.
In my job selling ads, tapping into the gay market is golden; so much money and so free spending. It makes sense, a culture that values fashion and identity, plus no need to save for kids (unless they adopt). Money.

[Honc]

Originally posted by Platinum Pete
Good for Whistler.
All the Mass. ski hills should offer gay weddings, too.
In my job selling ads, tapping into the gay market is golden; so much money and so free spending. It makes sense, a culture that values fashion and identity, plus no need to save for kids (unless they adopt). Money.

Also why you wind up seeing so many good restaurants, theaters, bars, museums in gay neighborhoods. Endless disposable income buys a lot of entertainment

[Dexter Rutecki]

How fabulous!