Saturday, March 23, 2024
Celebrating the 50th year of Pride in Seattle, the city’s tourism agency, Visit Seattle, is extending an invitation to LGBTQIA+ pairs globally to partake in a memorable Seattle-style vow renewal event. On the 30th of May, a special cruising boat will be transformed into the Love For All Boat, a tribute to the spirit of love, dedication, and inclusion within the LGBTQIA+ community.
For those wishing to join this unique evening event, tickets are now accessible at loveforallboat.org, including complimentary access for guests staying at select Downtown Seattle hotels (valued at $100). Setting off from Pier 55 in Downtown Seattle at 6:30 p.m., the cruise’s earnings will support the GSBA Scholarship Fund, aiding LGBTQIA+ and ally students.
The event will feature drag superstar BenDeLaCreme, known for her appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race, as both host and performer. BenDeLaCreme, celebrated as one of the “15 Fan Favorites of All Time” from the show, leverages her fame to combat anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and rhetoric, promoting positivity and resilience within the community.
“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.”
Guests will embark on the Salish Explorer, an Argosy Cruises boat with a capacity for 300 guests, to enjoy breathtaking views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and the iconic Seattle skyline. The cruise includes Pacific Northwest delicacies, local wines, exclusive performances, and distinctive Seattle-inspired gifts, highlighting the creativity of local LGBTQIA+-owned businesses. A highlight of the night will be a vow renewal ceremony officiated by Justice Mary Yu, a trailblazer in the LGBTQIA+ and judicial communities.
Seattle boasts one of the highest LGBTQIA+ populations in the U.S., making up 17% of the adult population in the Seattle Metro Area, as per Census Data. The community’s vibrant presence is a key element of Seattle’s rich cultural fabric and its dynamic LGBTQIA+ business sector. Additionally, the city hosts one of the nation’s largest free Pride festivals, set to commemorate its 50th anniversary 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 is recognized for its inclusive marketing efforts, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, notably with the ‘Marry Me in Seattle’ campaign, now in its tenth year, which was launched to celebrate Washington’s approval of marriage equality.
During the Love For All Boat event, guests are invited to immerse themselves in Seattle’s dynamic LGBTQIA+ culture. In honor of the event, eleven Seattle hotels are offering special Pride-themed packages, designed to enhance the experience for couples with offerings such as complimentary upgrades, dining credits, spa treatments, and romantic in-room surprises.
“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!”
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
