It’s no longer same-sex marriage. It’s just marriage.
That’s the slogan for Ken Fischang, president of Sonoma County Tourism, along with many members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Fischang and other Valley tourism experts believe the ruling will result in an uptick for Sonoma’s tourism market, the city’s primary source of income.
When North Bay residents woke to the news last Friday, June 26, that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is legal for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, to marry in every state – it was a big moment many had been waiting for, even in gay-marriage-friendly California.
For Fischang, the ruling has been a long time coming, and he plans to celebrate with his coworkers and his husband, Dennis, who was in Michigan at the time.
“We have a little home in Kalamazoo, and Dennis told me that, as soon as the ruling went through, the mayor took to the streets and started marrying people,” Fischang said.
Fischang said on Friday that the “routine wine tastings” the board conducts that day would have a more pronounced air of equality.
“We’re going to have equal attention for reds and whites today to celebrate,” he said.
As to the ruling’s effect on his work promoting Sonoma County tourism, Fischang believes it can only be positive.
“The Valley has always been a popular destination for weddings,” he said. “And we have an incredibly open and active LGBT community. To plan a California wedding, spend a weekend in our hotels and a week wine tasting and coming home recognized as a couple in your home state, that’s the benefit for us.”
Wendy Peterson, executive director for the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau, agreed with Fischang, adding that the potential increase in interest from potential LGBT newlyweds will cause the bureau to keep a closer eye on its in-person and website traffic metrics.
“We have a subsection of the site dedicated to LGBT activities,” said Peterson. “We want to make sure that stays updated with all the relevant events coming from the Valley. Right now we go through 80,000 people annually at our Visitors Center, with additional hits coming through the website. We’re monitoring that activity for any increases during this time.”
One of Wine Country’s most popular LGBT tour and event companies, Out in the Vineyard, is already experiencing an influx in activity.
“We’re getting calls from a lot of people for tours,” said Gary Saperstein, founder of Out in the Vineyard. “We’ll have (more) people going to our shopping centers, staying in our hotels and eating at our restaurants.”
Out in the Vineyard’s recent Gay Wine Weekend, held June 19 to 21, was one of the company’s most successful events yet, said Saperstein, with more than 500 attending its Saturday evening gala alone.
With the Supreme Court ruling adding to those number, Saperstein can only imagine the possibilities.
“Think about an out-of-state couple who want to bring their wedding to us. Imagine 150 people booking rooms for a week of marital bliss in the Valley,” said Saperstein. “It’s an amazing ruling and a victory for the LGBT community. What a day, what a day.”
In recognition of the ruling, Sonoma Mayor David Cook hoisted the gay pride flag over City Hall on June 26.
“There can only be good things that comes out of this ruling,” Cook said. “I’m proud of America and its people for finally recognizing this right.”
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: