Las Vegas Weekly

Same Love, Same Rights for same-sex couples, at least in divorce

Two grooms in search of a wedd… errr, legal domestic partnership cake.

Photo: April Corbin

Somewhere between “She’s a Bad Mama Jama” and “Fantastic Voyage,” it became clear: I was at a wedding expo. The tuxedos and gowns, the elegant table settings and decorations, or the photography should have given it away, but I needed the cheesy music to put me in the wedding mood. What can I say? I’m a bit slow sometimes.

I’m as slow, say, as the state of Nevada, who only recently voted to legalize domestic partnerships.

That decision, which was made earlier this year by the legislature, is what brought Cindy Sproul and her Rainbow Wedding Network to Las Vegas. The network, which lists LGBT-friendly vendors, has held 34 expos in 16 different states since its creation 10 years ago. Saturday’s Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo at the JW Marriot was Nevada’s first.

Though distinct differences separate domestic partnerships and marriages, the gay and lesbian couples checking out the expo’s 35 booths didn’t seem to mind too much, at least for today. They were excited to be among equality-supporting local businesses, so much so that it didn’t really matter if they were actually planning nuptials. “I wish,” Suwasit Ritthiphon tells me when I ask if he’s planning a commitment ceremony. “I gotta find a man first, and someone to pay for all of this.”

“You and me both,” I respond.

Photo: April Corbin

Guess if this table is for a same-sex or different-sex wedding. Can't tell? Exactly.

Were it not for the dozens of same-sex couples in the ballroom, one might assume it was any typical wedding expo and that a straight girl like me could plan her wedding here, too. After all, the same five-tiered, fondant-covered cakes are on display; there are just slightly different figurines on top. Turns out, most same-sex couples want the same pomp and circumstance that opposite-sex couples want for one of the most important days of their lives. Go figure. Cue the cheesy music, please.

At least one man is on hand at the expo to gently remind same-sex couples all things are not entirely equal. John Cereso of Nevada Law Group is manning his booth, talking to couples about the necessity of standard wills, health care, power of attorneys and living wills. While the legal partnerships have promised such rights, with no legal precedent to go by, Cereso says it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The lawyer tells me most of the questions he’s answered at the booth have centered around two general areas: adoption and divorce.

Yes, divorce.

Can it be divorce if it’s not technically marriage? Apparently so; Cereso says that dissolving a legal domestic partnership will take place in divorce court. While the couples can’t actually marry, they are fully equal in divorce. Furthermore, the painful separation of two men or two women who once loved one another will hurt just as much as it does for any Mr. and former Mrs.

So, how about it, Nevada? Just call it marriage. It’s hard to register for, but full equality would make one hell of a legal domestic partnership gift