Meet Our Keynote Luncheon Speaker: Sara Cunningham

Sara Cunningham is not only the proud, loving Mom of an LGBTQ child, but she has become a leading voice for faith parents of LGBTQ children. She is the founder of Free Mom Hugs, a group of affirming parents and allies who love the LGBTQ+ community unconditionally. They are dedicated to encouraging families, religious organizations, and civic leaders to not only affirm the LGBTQ+ community but to celebrate them.

Sara is a moving speaker, powerful advocate and ally, and the author of the book, “How We Sleep At Night”, an intimate, raw, challenging, and emotional memoir of her personal journey regarding her son’s homosexuality. In her writing and speaking, Sara conveys a unique authenticity and an undeniably tender, caring heart. She and her husband have been married over 30 years and live in Oklahoma City.

Featured Speaker: Cathy O’Connell

COJ Events / Gay Wedding Planning

Meet Cathy O’Connell and the team of COJ Events and Gay Wedding Planning, two of the country’s leading inclusive wedding and event planners! Experience the refreshing wedding ideas that Cathy and her team will bring to life as they showcase their talents at The Inclusive Wedding Experience.

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The National Gay Wedding Association Establishes Award Honoring Dolly Parton‍

When you think of Dolly Parton, you might call her a “gay icon.” Dolly’s unconditional love defines her and extends to her love of all other people, including the LGTBQ+ community. Dolly brings that sentiment inclusivity to her 2019 original series on Netflix, Heartstrings — a series of eight stories celebrating family, faith, love and forgiveness inspired by Dolly Parton’s iconic country music catalog.

Considering the hundreds of songs Dolly Parton has written and performed, The National Gay Wedding Association was thrilled with Dolly’s decision to highlight LGBTQ+ awareness as part of the storyline in the second episode of Heartstrings titled, “Two Doors Down.” 

In the episode, Dolly reveals it was her “on the road” family that inspired the song. It included all kinds of people. She says, “Different colors, gay, lesbian, transgender and all different faiths. It didn’t matter, as long as we got along. What it all comes down to is love is love, in road families and real families.” 

As The National Gay Wedding Association establishes its presence and begins to help shape the future of the LGBTQ+ wedding industry, we are instituting The Dolly Parton Legacy Inclusive Awareness Award in honor of Dolly’s “radical openness and inclusivity.” 

It is with humility and deep appreciation that we honor Dolly’s legacy by establishing the award in her name. The association will present the award annually to a recipient who shares Dolly’s spirit of unconditional love, kindness and inclusivity.

Meet Jamie Thrower: Founder of Studio XIII and the Official Photographer for IAC 2021

“Studio XIII (thirteen) was born out of the idea that I wanted to use my photography to support my LGBTQ community by honoring and sharing our love stories with the world.

I started shooting weddings before marriage equality was the law of the land. I found myself noticing how heteronormative the wedding industry was, and that LGBTQ weddings seemed to be something that a lot of industry professionals carefully tiptoed through. I saw the need for a space where LBGTQ weddings were not just an added part of the narrative, but took up the entire space. Because we need more queer spaces, do we not?!

As a queer business owner myself, I’m a photography studio that not only celebrates the love stories of my community, but also supports and encourages other LGBTQ individuals , families and business owners. Being an active part of the LGBTQ community is so important to me, and helps me connect closely with the incredible humans that I photograph. I’m an activist and always want to use my art and my privilege to work harder for those who need it. The struggles we have overcome as a community, the work we still have to do, and the importance of fighting for our rights and demanding to be seen and valued— this is why I want to tell your story.”