Lance Bass Headlines Historic Group Wedding In Greater Fort Lauderdale To Commemorate Marriage Equality

'Gay Capital of Florida' Now Pronounces, "Love is Love"

News provided by

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

Feb 05, 2015, 12:53 ET

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Couples from across the U.S. and around the world converge on Fort Lauderdale to take part in an historic group wedding and vow renewal to mark the new dawn of same-sex marriage equality in Florida.

Representing 18 U.S. states, Europe, and South America, the LGBT and straight couples were greeted by former *NSYNC member and Dancing with the Stars alum, Lance Bass, who delivered a moving address on the meaning of love as the event's official "Love is Love" ambassador.

LGBT and straight couples say 'they do' at the W Fort Lauderdale in a historic group wedding ceremony hosted by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Lance Bass and husband Michael Turchin (front) led the "Love is Love" procession on the same day as the premiere of Lance Loves Michael, the first televised gay wedding between two men. (Rodrigo Varela for Getty Images)

Hosted by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) CEO and president, Nicki E. Grossman, the "Love is Love" destination wedding on Thursday, February 5^th, was presided over by Reverend Dr. Durrell Watkins, senior minister, of the Sunshine Cathedral.

The landmark event coincides with Bass making TV history the same day with the broadcast of his wedding with Michael Turchin in the E! network special, Lance Loves Michael: The Lance Bass Wedding – the first American television broadcast of a celebrity marriage between two men.

The newlyweds and recommitted couples attended a post-ceremony champagne toast and reception at the W Fort Lauderdale, with one lucky couple receiving a week-long honeymoon, provided by Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative and Celebrity Cruises. All couples received a welcome gift containing something "new and blue", courtesy of Jet Blue and Greater Fort Lauderdale's hotels, restaurants and attractions.

To view a gallery of more photos from the Love is Love group wedding, visit:
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr261777759

Broll Links:

Interviews, including Lance Bass
https://www.yousendit.com/download/UlRRZHlrdGpvQUpvZE1UQw

Preparation
https://www.yousendit.com/download/UlRRZHlndWNRYStHR3NUQw

Ceremony and ending celebrations
https://www.yousendit.com/download/UlRRZHlrdGpKV095VmNUQw

For more information on the "Love is Love" wedding celebration, visit www.sunny.org/loveislove.

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150205/173817

SOURCE Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau