When it comes to wedding planning, every couple deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Yet for LGBTQ+ and minority couples, the journey to "I do" often includes navigating vendors who may not welcome them with open arms.In this candid conversation, returning guest Winston Gaines doesn't hold back as he shares his perspective as both a wedding industry professional and advocate for equal treatment. "Anyone in our area knows I'm going to be an ally and champion for anyone treated differently, period," Winston declares, setting the tone for an honest discussion about discrimination in the wedding industry.The episode reveals troubling stories, including one about a same-sex couple who fell in love with a venue only to be strung along before being rejected because of "that lifestyle." This prompts Winston to challenge discriminatory vendors: "If you're not gonna let a gay man get married on your property because he's gay, why not just put it on your website?" While not supporting such policies, he argues transparency would at least save couples from humiliation and wasted time.Both Winston and Marco dismantle the notion that same-sex weddings require different service approaches. "The only difference is the name that's going to be on the printout," Marco points out, highlighting how arbitrary discrimination truly is in practice. They also discuss the problematic nature of "tokenism"—when businesses display support for LGBTQ+ communities only during Pride Month while remaining unwelcoming the rest of the year.For couples concerned about facing discrimination, the episode offers practical resources including Texas Folx, a database of inclusive vendors. Winston closes on an optimistic note, emphasizing that most vendors in Central Texas are welcoming to all couples, suggesting the industry is gradually becoming more inclusive despite lingering challenges.Have you experienced or witnessed discrimination in the wedding industry? Share your story with us and help create awareness for this important conversation.Send us a textSupport the showIf you enjoyed this episode, hit that subscribe button and drop us a review! We’d love to hear what you think!Want us to chat with your favorite vendor? We’d love to! Shoot us an email at [email protected] and let us know who you want to hear from! Your top picks could be the stars of our next episode! FOLLOW US:https://www.tiktok.com/@tipsyguestpodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thetipsyguestpodcast/https://www.youtube.com/@TheTipsyGuestPodcasthttps://www.pinterest.com/tipsyguest/

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