Gay Marriage Questions

[Jim Casey]

Now that gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, let me ask you (and this could get heated so please try to keep it cool and respect one another's opinions)

Do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT Quote anyone else's opinion for this thread. Just give us your own. Let people make their own choices...

If I see another person't post quoted, I will remove your post.

Now...with the guideline set:

Questions:

1. Are you for or against gay marriage?

2. Will you perform for gay marriage receptions?

3. If you will perform, will you treat them as regular wedding receptions or something different?

[Rob Peters]

My opinions....

1.) I really do NOT have an opinion about whether I am FOR or AGAINST Gay marriage. I see both sides of the issues about this controversial topic, and have a "live and let live" attitude about it. It doesn't hit that close for me!

2.) Having performed at at least two committment ceremonies each year for the past five years, if I received a call for a gay wedding and if I am available I would probably attempt to book it. My reasoning is simple: I am a business person in business to make a living. If a gay/lesbian couple is willing to pay my regular weding rate, then I am fine with that.

I am not however, proactively marketing to gay/lesbain couples. I am treating Gay/Lesbain weddings just like I treat my marketing approach for bar/bat mitzvahs...by referral ONLY!

3.) I am treating these events like I would treat a wedding as far as pricing and event format (which I have done in the past for committment ceremonies).

[DJMC]

Only done one male-male committment ceremony and reception.

They paid really well. (1,100 for 6 hours.)
Allie sang "I Will Survive" and got a $50 tip
I got a $50 tip.

We aren't actively marketing these groups, but will take their business any time over more budget-minded ethnic groups!

That same Saturday in July I could have done a redneck reception in Dutch Flat, CA for $599.

Hmmm......if a group pays 1.5 to 2x normal rates for similar services, maybe their OK.

hehehe all the way to the bank.

[Professor Jam]

Questions:

1. Are you for or against gay marriage? Against

2. Will you perform for gay marriage receptions? Nope

[Wolfie]

Cheers, Jim.

I will answer with honesty:

1. Are you for or against gay marriage?

Personally, I am against it. Professionally, I mind my own business. It is not my place to judge others.

2. Will you perform for gay marriage receptions?

If asked, I would do. As a business owner, I cannot discriminate.

3. If you will perform, will you treat them as regular wedding receptions or something different?

Yes, of course. Every client should be treated to the best service possible. If there are special circumstances that involve an event of this nature I will try to accomodate my clients to the best of my ability.

With that said, I would respectfully like to add my thoughts:

I think television has done more harm to the gay community than stereotypes could ever do. TV tends to focus on the butchiest women and the most effeminate men. As with all that is TV and Hollywood, this has nothing to do with real life.

Here in Delaware, our local Congress is rassling with what is known as House Bill 99. HB 99 seeks to add the term "sexual orientation" to the state discrimination code. If HB 99 is passed, a gay employee could sue for unlawful termination if he or she feels that sexual orientation was a basis for dismissal.

I am not gay nor am I a "homophobe". Some of my coworkers and friends are gay. Discrimination is not a part of my nature. If someone I know wishes to tell me that he or she is gay, fine. If not, fine. I don't concern myself with those things.

While gay marriages are not sanctioned here in Delaware, there is a lobby that represents the gay community here as, I am sure, many states have. The times they are a' changing as Bob Dylan wrote many years ago. We don't have to like the changes but we do have to live with them.

As a business owner I feel that this is a business issue, not a religious one. If a service provider does not feel comfortable working with a gay clientele, this should be stated upfront. Please, do not beat around the bush or make lame excuses. If you are not comfortable with a prospective gig, say so and explain why. You don't have to go into a religious discussion... just say you're uncomfortable with it and explain that you feel you could not give 100%. This is not discrimination, it's sound business practice.

For example, we have no Jewish community here to speak of. If we did I'd be learning all I could about Jewish traditions and marketing to the Mitzvah market. As things stand, I would have to respectfully turn down an offer of a Mitzvah (a rather lucrative gig) for the simple reason that I am not able to handle it.

I run a DJ company that is licenced to do business in the state of Delaware. For my own part, when there's money on the table I don't walk away from it.

I do not get involved in my clients' personal lives.

These are just my thoughts. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

[mp3jrick]

A rather touchy subject for sure.
I got into it pretty deep on Chat with a few there.

My feelings have changed somewhat, it is the fear of public affection that I cringe over. I would have been happier with a civil union between them thar peeps.

After watching a Walters special I realized that some people really are mismatched between their brains and bodies. I saw people really suffer with this internal struggle and the closet confinement with it.
It is a very deep unknown subject of limitations.
What two consenting adults do is between them. And as long is it is in private I can live with it.
Bring children into the mix and I have a bit of a problem.
Publicly display affection with touching, open mouth kissing or display for the purposes of arousing others reactions is the fear I have. And as acceptence grows I wonder just how far it will go. We all know how quickly the sex on tv and in the music has got out of control.
With any group there will be extremes, there will be those who openly display it and those who keep it private and live very normal lives.

The people who mass together for the St. Patricks day parade in Boston are the group that worries me. They are there to send a clear message to the straight people and their courage is prevalent only as a mob for the most part.

Anyway, they come from all walks of life, all colors and shapes, some pretty, some ugly, some rich, some poor. It is impossible and unfair to catagorize them as a whole as I have done in the past. That was a very hard lesson for me, but necessary. That doesn't mean I welcome it, I hope it stays in check somewhat and is handled by those it involves in a tastefull way.

Fortunately I don't do weddings so it won't affect me as it will other dj's here.
If I were asked I would say no, probably because I am not comfortable just as I wouldn't accept an ethnic event where I wasn't familiar with specific customs or religeous practices.

It will certainly be a hayday for gay DJ's and those who accept it even for the money.
Now lets just see how many DJ's continue to be "interactive" LOL. :giggle

[SirWolfy]

1. Are you for or against gay marriage?

I believe in "Don't ask, don't tell and don't advertise it." Personally I am against it, but that is between them and God.

2. Will you perform for gay marriage receptions?

No. Because of my beliefs and convictions, I do not feel that I would be a very good choice to provide entertainment for their special event. I would refer them to someone else.

[jamiebodie]

I would just qoute Milky if I were allowed, but.....................

1. Are you for or against gay marriage? <span style="color:blue">Against, personally but to each his own</span>

2. Will you perform for gay marriage receptions? I<span style="color:blue"> would refer to someone else. I think from a moral/Christain standpoint I would not be the best choice for this type of event. If they insisted on me I would do it.</span>

3. If you will perform, will you treat them as regular wedding receptions or something different? [color=blue] If I were to do an event of this type I would handle it in whatever manner the couple asks for.

Jamie

[DJ Scott]

1. Yes

2. No

3. Does not apply.

[DJ Sue]

I think everyone here already knows my stand on this subject, as Matt would probably (if I didn't) point out that I DO play for a gay nightclub (I am the "Straight DJ in a Gay club) but this has been the BEST club I have EVER worked for since I started spinning in 1979.

I believe gays should get married just as anyone else.....

Yes I would definately spin for them at a wedding reception.

No I would not treat them any different from any other venue.

People are people, no matter what their sexual preferance and their money spends the same as anyone else's. :tup