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Following California Supreme Court Ruling, Last of the ''Symbolic'' Gay Marriage Ceremonies Set
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.-(Business Wire)-May 19, 2008 - On June 4, 2008, T.R. Knight will join the Matthew Shepard Foundation to help kick off National Gay-Pride month with a symbolic dusk commitment ceremony at the famed West Hollywood hotspot, The Abbey.
At 8pm, couples from around the nation will "tie the knot" in what may be one of the last "symbolic" ceremonies in California thanks to the State's Supreme Court ruling invalidating the ban on gay marriages.
The event will be officiated by West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang and witnessed by Judy Shepard and a host of celebrities. Couples will be wearing the Matthew Shepard Erase Hate pendant courtesy of Love and Pride jewelry designer, Udi Behr. Love and Pride is the first online jewelry destination for people who believe in equality, diversity and tolerance for all. www.loveandpride.com
Behr remarks, "California's highest court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional." He adds, "This ceremony joins together our two messages; 'Celebrating Love' and 'Erasing Hate.'" 100% of net pendant proceeds assist the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Behr created the Erase Hate pendant for Judy Shepard in memory of her son, Matthew Shepard, who was the victim of a brutal anti-gay hate crime in rural Wyoming ten years ago.
Behr has been helping to finance the war for equality by donating 10% of all his jewelry lines, providing needed funds for Lambda Legal. Says Behr, "I started Love and Pride following events in San Francisco four years ago and will not rest until all fifty states offer true equality."
Judy Shepard, executive director of the Foundation, said, "Now more than ever, wearing the Erase Hate pendant is a great way for people to express how they feel and promote the values of understanding, compassion and acceptance."
World renowned recording artist Steve Oliver www.steveolivermusic.com will perform the classic ceremonial march Pachelbel Canon in D major, and the vocal sounds of Pepper Mashay will fill the Abbey with her rendition of "Amazing Grace."
CEREMONY REGISTRATION FORM: www.MatthewShepard.org/GetMarried
Online Press Kit http://www.loveandpride.com/home/presskit.aspx
HI RES Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/26114211@N02/sets
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