WI LGBT Chamber of Commerce says next month's "LGBT Wedding Expo" at capacity for vendors

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Supreme Court announced Monday it is staying out of the same-sex marriage debate — at least for now — rejecting requests from five states to immediately review their bans that prohibit gay and lesbian couples from civil wedlock. The rejected appeals originated from same-sex couples in Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Indiana. With Monday’s order, lower appeals court rulings striking down the bans could soon be enforced in those five states. That also means bans in all the other states covered by the three circuit appeals courts would also be invalidated. Those states include West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. Same-sex marriage would then be permitted in 30 states.

The Supreme Court's announcement Monday means Wisconsin same-sex couples can now begin planning their weddings. That could translate into millions of dollars for Wisconsin's wedding industry.

In the wake of the Supreme Court's announcement, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce has announced it is sponsoring an LGBT Wedding Expo on November 13th.

The wedding expo will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Radisson Milwaukee West by Mayfair Mall.

"We were all really excited and kind of anticipating that a decision would be made," Radisson Social Event Manager Brian Peterson said.

With nearly a month to go before the event, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce says it has already reached capacity with the number of vendors that can fit into the space -- and the Chamber says it has received countless calls from couples looking to plan their big day that want to do business with those that share their values.

"We've got a lot of great buzz around it.  Great vendors signed up for it already," Peterson said.

Unlike in early June, when couples rushed to county clerk's offices to marry, same-sex couples now have the chance to plan a wedding months in advance.

"Talking to different businesses and even people in the community, finally, finally this is happening," Peterson said.

"Today I already got give calls from individuals who once their heard about the decision, wanted to start planning their special day," Jason Rae, the executive director of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce said.

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce is expecting same-sex marriage to have an economic impact in the millions of dollars.

"In Illinois, they predicted with marraige equality they would get about $54 million to $103 million spent within the first three years alone on same-sex weddings," Rae said.

Hawaiian caterer Ono Kine Grinz is hoping to win some of that new business.

"I think it opens new horizons for catering businesses," David Lau with Ono Kine Grinz Catering said.

Ono Kine Grinz is already on the list of caterers for the LGBT Wedding Expo.

"This will be new for us too and we're excited about it. I think we all have a human need to be accepted and loved in society and I think that we'll all come out as a better person," Guy Roeseler with Ono Kine Grinz Catering said.

Jason Rae, executive director of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision not to take up the appeal of Wisconsin’s discriminatory marriage amendment: