SEATTLE—On the heels of Seattle’s 50th anniversary of Pride, Visit Seattle, the destination marketing organization for Seattle and King County, is proudly welcoming LGBTQIA+ couples from all over to make a splash with their love through a uniquely Seattle vow renewal experience. On May 30, the organization will transform one of the city’s famed cruising boats into the Love For All Boat – an ode to love, commitment, and belonging in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Tickets for this one-night celebration are now available at loveforallboat.org, with comped admission available for guests of participating Downtown Seattle hotels ($100 value). The cruise will set sail from Pier 55 in Downtown Seattle at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the GSBA Scholarship Fund, which supports LGBTQIA+ and allied students.
The evening will be emceed by and include a performance from drag icon and Seattleite BenDeLaCreme. Appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 3, BenDeLaCreme rose to international acclaim through her powerhouse appearances on the show, earning her a spot among the show’s “15 Fan Favorites of All Time.” She has used her platform to fight back against anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment and legislation sweeping the U.S. – educating audiences on dangerous rhetoric negatively impacting the queer and trans community on a global scale, while offering messages of hope to community members.
“I call Seattle the place that aligns with my sensibilities –the open, creative spirit of the city fosters this beautiful sense of belonging and love for the community,” said BenDeLaCreme, who has lived in Seattle since 2006. “The city has a deep history of showing up for the community; and of course, we’re a city that knows how to throw a big, queer party – so expect the best for the Love For All Boat. It’s an honor it is to emcee this tribute to LGBTQ+ love in the city I proudly call home.”
The sunset voyage will be aboard Argosy Cruises’ Salish Explorer, a 300 person-capacity cruising boat that will travel through the Puget Sound – offering stunning views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and Seattle’s famed skyline. As part of admission, guests will be treated to Pacific Northwest cuisine, Washington wines, special performances, and other Seattle touches, including a one-of-a-kind gift bag curated from a variety of local LGBTQIA+-owned businesses. The pinnacle of the evening will be a vow renewal ceremony led by Justice Mary Yu, Washington’s first openly gay Asian American and Latina justice – who notably officiated Washington’s first same-sex marriage in 2012.
Seattle is home to one of the largest LGBTQIA+ populations in the country, with 17% of adults in the Seattle Metro Area identifying as community members according to Census Data. The LGBTQIA+ community has been integral to Seattle’s history and is pivotal to the city’s vibrant reputation today, thanks in part to a thriving LGBTQIA+ business community. Seattle is also home to one of the country’s largest free Pride festivals, which will celebrate 50 years this June.
“The Love For All Boat symbolizes Seattle’s commitment to being a destination that welcomes all community members with love, inclusion, and acceptance, year-round,” said Tammy Blount-Canavan, President and CEO of Visit Seattle. “We are honored for Seattle to have a place in the love stories of these couples through this vow renewal experience.”
Visit Seattle has a proud history of creating destination marketing campaigns that are inclusive to and honor the LGBTQIA+ community. This year will mark the tenth anniversary of the organization’s landmark ‘Marry Me in Seattle’ campaign. Developed to celebrate the passage of marriage equality in Washington state, Visit Seattle hosted four Seattle dream weddings for LGBTQIA+ couples from out of state.
Guests are encouraged to experience Seattle’s rich LGBTQIA+ culture while in town for the Love For All Boat experience. Eleven Seattle hotels are offering LGBTQIA+ pride-themed packages in celebration of the event. There’s something for every couple to enjoy, with benefits ranging from free room upgrades and dining credits to romantic extras, like spa coupons and in-room chocolate and bubbly.
“As the first hotel in Seattle to raise the Pride flag – now flying year-round – W Seattle is the epicenter of Pride celebrations downtown,” said Greg Campbell, Director of Sales & Marketing for W Seattle. “In addition to hosting one of the city’s most popular drag brunches during Seattle Pride, our Love For All Boat 50 Years of Pride Package, complete with two tickets to the event, high-floor accommodations, a $50 beverage and food credit, and a bottle of wine from a local LGBTQIA+ owned winery, Aluel Cellars, speaks to our commitment to inclusion. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I am grateful to live in a city like Seattle, where love for all is celebrated. We look forward to welcoming couples for this exciting occasion!”
More information about the event and ticketing can be found at https://visitseattle.org/loveforallboat/.
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SOURCE: Visit Seattle press release
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
