Thirty-six gay and straight ally
couples on Thursday exchanged vows in a temporary wedding chapel in
Las Vegas to support the legalization of gay marriage in Nevada.
The Pop-Up Wedding Chapel at The
Cosmopolitan hotel and casino hosted the event, which included
couples saying their “I Do's” every 5 minutes for three hours.
The ceremonies are not legally binding
but are meant to send a symbolic message of support.
Last week, the Nevada Senate approved a
proposed constitutional amendment which seeks to legalize nuptials in
the state by 2016. Nevada currently recognizes gay couples with
domestic partnerships.
(Related: Nevada
Senate approves resolution on gay marriage.)
The Cosmopolitan donated $50,000 to the
Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, known as The
Center, which organized Thursday's event. The hotel's vice
president of people, Daniel Espino, told the Las
Vegas Review-Journal that the hotel has long supported the
group's mission.
Candice Nichols, 59, senior director of
programs and community partnerships at The Center, and her partner
Suzanne Miller were among the gay couples to hold a commitment
ceremony.
“Why are we less equal?” Nichols
said.