Launch Repeal Prop 8 Campaign at Kitson Review - Hosted by E! Entertainment's Giuliana Rancic
Hosted by E! Entertainment’s Giuliana Rancic, the Love Honor Cherish and Revenge Is… Repeal Prop 8 Signature Campaign Party was held to launch the highly debated petition signature drive to Repeal Prop 8, ban of gay marriage in CA, initiative on the 2010 CA ballot.
Rancic was more than happy to be asked to host the event as it represents equality for couples to finally come together as one. Rancic, a heterosexual Catholic, was first to sign the controversial petition. Rancic exclaimed, “I feel strongly that it is not my place, nor that of any religion, to deny anyone the basic right of marriage.â€
The faux wedding ceremony was performed by Hal Sparks as minister with Missi Pyle and Smith & Pyle band member Shawnee Smith
On the red carpet Rancic also explained, “I have a lot of gay friends who want to get married and have every right to. They are not asking to get married in a catholic church, they are just saying, ‘I pay taxes and I should have the civil right to get married.’ And they have every right to.â€
Inside Kitson Melrose, the event hit capacity with many guests in support. In addition to the petition, a faux wedding ceremony was held in the store to represent the need for marriage equality for all.
"All Is Equal" tees now at Kitson
The faux wedding ceremony was performed by Hal Sparks as minister with Missi Pyle and Smith & Pyle band member Shawnee Smith as the eternally betrothed. It was a light counterpoint to the seriousness of the purpose of the event expressed so eloquently by Rancic, Revenge Is… creator Marilyn Barrett, and comedienne Susanne Whang. The wedding "ceremony" was written and produced by Ashley Terrill with Brent Wang of EggsLosAngeles creating the bouquets. States Ashley Terrill, “It is our hope the visual of Missi and Shawnee ’s faux nuptial will send home the message that if laws are not changed, same sex marriage will remain a false hope for thousands of California citizens. With a culture obsessed with who got married, when, where, how, and was it a hoax?... hopefully this faux wedding will bring some much needed thought to a real civil rights cause... marriage equality." Appropriately, Schramsberg sparkling wine, Joan's on Third hors d’oeuvres and Swirls cupcakes were as good as it gets for any wedding -- faux or otherwise.
Rancic was happy to be the first to sign
Celebrities who able to take part and support the private event included: Missi Pyle, Hal Sparks, Susanne Whang, Claudia Jordan, Gregory Michael. Activist groups Noh8; and politicians like Assembly member Mike Feuer, W. Hollywood mayor Abbe Land and W. Hollywood city council members Jeffrey Prang, John Heilman and Lindsey Horvath were also in attendance.
All came out to support Love Honor Cherish’s effort in taking the first initiative to repeal Prop 8 and restore the civil liberty of marriage to all California residents. John Henning, Spokesman to Love Honor Cherish, reviled the www.signforequality.com website that is dedicated to fueling social media involvement in the signature drive efforts.
Kitson donated a large percentage of the evening’s sales and 25% of “All Love Is Equal†T-shirt sales through December to Love Honor Cherish. Proceeds will go directly toward the expenses associated with the massive state-wide signature drive effort to put the Repeal Prop 8 initiative on the November 2010 ballot.
It was a great night for taking the first steps to get the Repeal of Prop 8 moving forward. Guests were able to sign the petition throughout the entire event and support the drive efforts of Love Honor Cherish. You can help support the efforts as well by going to www.signforequality.com
Published on Nov 25, 2009
