RONY TENNENBAUM's "Same-Sex Marriage" Rings Bring New Trends

RONY TENNENBAUM, ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND THE NEW WAVE OF ‘CONTEMPORARY” DESIGN WORK, BRINGS A NEW TREND TO THE WEDDING JEWELRY MARKET

New York, NY - The landscape of the bridal jewelry market has been experiencing an incredible shift in recent years. While traditional designs and classic solitaire diamond rings have flanked the showcases for generations, there is a movement toward new and contemporary.  This shift is greatly attributed to the surge in same-sex marriages flooding the country.

With over 70% of the LGBT community living in states that allow marriage equality, the demand for modernized wedding jewelry designs is imminent.  Trend setters in their own right and early adaptors to modernizing ideas and contemporary styles, same sex couples are a new audience who just gained access to the wedding industry and they are paving the way to modernizing it.

Rony Tennenbaum, whose powerhouse designs have been celebrated for more than 25 years by the LGBT community, is one of the driving forces behind this new wave of “Contemporary” design work and at the forefront of this new bridal jewelry trend.

 The New York based designer – has created collections of engagement and wedding rings that reflect the latest fashion trends, yet still incorporate everything that is timeless and classic about bridal.

Voted one of the Innovators of 2015 by InStore Magazine, Rony Tennenbaum and his brand are rapidly expanding across the nation reaching a new generation of jewelry consumers. 

Tennenbaum's collections are created to think "outside the box", be fresh and innovative ideas, but have surpassed far beyond just the LGBT market. 

While the LGBT wedding market continues to grow and to rally mainstream retailers around its customer – even the venerable 178-years-old Tiffany & Co recently featured a gay couple in its new ad campaign – the so-called “alternative bridal” has taken a new definition. If the basic rule is there are no rules, clichés are certainly passé.

Tennenbaum has seen a fast growth in demand for his unique collections. In June of last year, Seattle-based Ben Bridge Jeweler, owned by Warren Buffett’s holding company Berkshire Hathaway Inc., began carrying jewelry by Rony Tennenbaum, and recently added three more West Coast locations. 

This past September, Tapper’s added his collection to all 3 of its Detroit locations.  Expanding recently into 4 new markets, Tennenbaum is now located in: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia and Washington. 

The Tennenbaum brand represents a growing movement in bridal jewelry fashion that pays attention to the individual storytelling.  Tennenbaum’s contemporary Wedding Jewelry designs mirror the new tastes and desires of modern wedding customers privileging the sentimental over the traditional – more than being different it’s about showcasing your personality and individuality.

LGBT JEWELRY Designer RONY TENNENBAUM To Appear In New Publication

BRAND NEW LGBT LUXURY WEDDING DESTINATIONS PUBLICATION 

EQL MAGAZINE

TEAMS UP WITH JEWELRY DESIGNER & LGBT WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT 

RONY TENNENBAUM

TO DEBUT NEW COLUMN IN ITS PREMIERE ISSUE.

NEW YORK, NY - EQL, a brand new highly stylized, biannual (Spring & Fall, 2014) print magazine committed to the celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) weddings and destinations is teaming up with one of the most distinguished voices of authority in the LGBT Bridal Jewelry industry, jewelry designer Rony Tennenbaum. 

Tennenbaum is set to premiere his column on wedding jewelry etiquette in the first issue of EQL Magazine due out on newsstands this month providing readers with a fresh take on jewelry news, fashion, protocol, wedding and engagement themes, tips and advice.

The burgeoning same-sex wedding industry is fast-steadily attracting a wide range of not only businesses looking to expand into the “untapped" booming LGBT market; but is also attracting a new group of consumers.  As more and more visionary companies are taking the leap, they seek to do so by calling upon Tennenbaum’s expert understanding in the culture, tastes and needs of the LGBT community, as well as the jewelry and diamond worlds.

Tennenbaum’s outreach to both community and retailers in his public appearances called, “Rony Talks”, has been sending a strong message of inclusiveness to the LGBT community for almost a decade. More than just a designer, Tennenbaum understands the need in educating a generation of retailers as well as consumers who are facing new traditions and etiquettes.  

Tennenbaum who is also currently lending his expert voice to LoveIncmag.com, and has previously served as a contributing author for Engagement 101 Magazine and gayweddings.com, is thrilled to be bringing his expertise to EQL Magazine. 

Slotted for a Spring debut, EQL Destinations for Weddings will bring to the marketplace glorious, highly visual editorial content, brimming with comprehensive coverage of the world’s most enchanting dream weddings exclusively for the LBGT community. The 144-page, full-color glossy will showcase engaging content written by celebrated wedding experts and travel writers, exquisite photography featuring unique locations around the world, positioning itself as the go-to resource for all things wedding. 

“At this very important time in our nation’s history, I feel honored to be introducing a non-political magazine that has one focus—to be a testament to the joy of celebrating love. We are confident that the quality of the magazine, the personal stories, and inspired feature articles will be a huge hit with readers,” says Leslie Hurd, publisher.

Celebrating the unbroken string of state victories in marriage equality, Tennenbaum - at the helm of his brand - is not only breaking the mold with his designs, but is also using his expertise and message behind his jewelry to be in the vanguard of a new generation of jewelry consumers, and including with him any pioneer who wishes to join forces with him and his message on the journey.

For more information go to: 

www.ronytennenbaum.com

www.EQLWedding.com 

@ronytennenbaum

Rogers & Hollands Jewelers Expands Into the LGBT Market

Rogers & Hollands Jewelers Expands Into LGBT Market By Adding Rony Tennenbaum Wedding Jewelry to their Bridal cases in Two of their Chicagoland Locations

Chicago, IL – With marriage equality making major strides across the country, the burgeoning same-sex wedding industry is attracting a wide range of companies with years of experience in the wedding business. 

One of the largest family owned jewelry chains in the States, Rogers & Hollands, is expanding its demographic reach and marketing to include the LGBT community by adding a new wedding jewelry collection created to celebrate marriage and equality. 

The premier jewelry chain, which operates several stores throughout the Chicagoland area and throughout the Midwest, has just announced the addition of Rony Tennenbaum’s Jewelry collection to its bridal cases in both its Woodfield Mall location in Schaumburg, and in downtown Chicago’s Water Tower Place stores.

With stores across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri and Wisconsin, Rogers & Hollandsbelieves that adding the Rony Tennenbaum collection will allow them a wider outreach and include same-sex couples as part of their all-inclusive accepted family of consumers.

Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry has been sending a strong message of inclusiveness to the LGBT community for almost a decade.  As a wedding jewelry designer for over 25 years, Tennenbaum’s unique wedding and engagement ring styling is built with fashionable timeless features and driven by a strong sense of sentiment.  Tennenbaum recognized the lack of attention the LGBT community was receiving in wedding jewelry and designed his brand to showcase high end designs beyond stereotypical rainbows and triangles. 

More than just a designer, Tennenbaum understands the need in educating a generation of retailers as well as consumers who are facing new traditions and etiquettes.  His outreach to the community on “The New Etiquettes of the Rainbow” is a step in teaching both retailers and consumers about the new options in wedding jewelry etiquette.  He also consults about making educated purchases.

As these etiquettes are being written by the LGBT community, visionary retailers such as Rogers & Hollands are seeking outTennenbaum’s expert understanding in the culture, tastes and needs of the LGBT community, as well as the jewelry and diamond worlds.

Already distributed in states such as: Connecticut, New York, Illinois, Florida, Washington and Virginia, Tennenbaum is thrilled to be adding his line of wedding jewelry to the Rogers & Hollands chain. In his opinion, the stores already have a strong loyal following and the outreach to include the LGBT community will only strengthen their foothold as a bridal destination.

At the helm of his brand, Tennenbaum is not only breaking the mold with his designs, but is also using his expertise and message behind his jewelry to be in the vanguard of a new generation of jewelry consumers, and taking with him any pioneers who wish to join forces with him and his message on the journey.

For more information visit: 

www.RonyTennenbaum.com

The Greatest Gay Moments of 2013

What a year it's been.

There was a bunch of amazing stuff that happened for the LGBTQ community in 2013 that it's hard to keep track of it all. Here are just a few of our favourite gay moments from last year.

Tammy Baldwin Becomes the USA's First Openly Gay Senator

If politics isn't your thing, you may have missed this. But we all know that being gay in the most powerful country in the world is still (unfortunately) often seen as a taboo.

This year, Baldwin made history by becoming the first openly gay senator (for her home state of Wisconsin) - such a monumental achievement for our community.

The United Kingdom Legalizes Gay Marriage.

You probably didn't miss this one, but we all know gay marriage should have come sooner in the Land Of Hope and Glory. Hell yeah, the Brits!

The above image was actually taken from a super anti-gay website, which is why I've chosen to use it here: because they definitely did not create this image for good... But look how great it is! The Queen is officially a supporter, get over it.

Gay marriage will begin starting March this year - and I am so excited and proud to be going to my Aunt's wedding to her girlfriend! Bring on the festivities.

Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota, Hawaii, Illinois and New Mexico Get Gay Married.

That's right, the USA also finally got a move on with their legalization of same-sex marriage.

6 more states (please correct me if I'm wrong here!) legalized same-sex marriage, proving that the USA really is becoming the land of freedom and equality once and for all.

Here's to hoping that this will only continue in 2014 - it looks like Utah could be next!

2013 Gave Us Some Great Gay TV.

There are most definitely too many great gay TV moments to mention in this post.

However, some of the best gay on-screen happenings in 2013 came from the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black, in which we see Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon (above) makin' out and doin' the nasty to no end.

BBC America's Orphan Black also gave us the ever-talented Tatiana Maslany who, whilst playing an army of other characters, brought us the delightfully nerdy queer Cosima.

On top of that, shows such as Grey's Anatomy (ABC), Lost Girl (Showcase Canada/SyFy) and Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) continue to wow us with their portrayal of strong, female gays. And we just can't get enough!

Jodie Foster Comes Out... Officially.

Though homosexuals and heterosexuals alike could have probably told you this years ago, way back in January one of the greatest actresses of her time came out of the closet in an elaborate way: while collecting her award at the Golden Globes.

It's always great when celebs tell the world they are proud of who they are, but even better when they are as high profile as the lovely Jodie. Who do you reckon will come out next in 2014?

***

Of course there have been many more amazing moments for the LGBTQ community in 2013, but what was your favourite?

What did we miss? Let us know what you thought about 2013 in the comments!

Announcing the First Annual Los Angeles Same-Sex Wedding Expo!

PRESENTED BY FRONTIERS MEDIA

NOVEMBER 10^th AT THE LAAC

  

Los Angeles, CA - Frontiers Media, Southern California’s most recognized brand in the LGBT market, presents the Los Angeles Lesbian & Gay Wedding Expo, produced by LGBT film and television producer/director and gay rights activist JD DiSalvatore.

The full-day event, hosted by the newly remodeled, century-old historic Downtown Los Angeles Athletic Club, will set the stage for a one stop wedding shop for couples on November 10 from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

This first-ever major expo of its kind is poised to be biggest West Coast celebratory event since California became the 13th U.S. jurisdiction with legal same-sex marriages.

“Now that gay marriage is finally legal in California, we wanted to come up with a way to support gay and lesbian couples planning for their special day,” said Frontiers Media Publisher David Stern, “And promote Southern California as a wedding and honeymoon destination.”

A carefully curated selection of over 50 LGBT-friendly elite exhibitors covering the entire spectrum of wedding preparations will be represented all under one chic and elegant roof.  

A distinguished panel of wedding industry tastemakers and professional experts from the travel, event planning, jewelry, real estate, legal, catering, retail and floral fields will offer couples the exclusive opportunity to get one-on-one advice, choose favorites from high-end collections and find the unique and trendy resources they need to plan their own memorable, timeless ceremony.

Since the end of DOMA, the nuptials industry has been experiencing a nationwide commercial explosion, as same-sex weddings have now become a booming US industry. 

American weddings are a $51 billion industry that employs nearly 800,000 people, according to the market-research firm IBISWorld. Same-sex marriages are expected to create a financial boom for the wedding industry in California. A study conducted by The Williams Institute, UCLA estimated that LGBT weddings would generate $290 billion of new spending in California.

"We're actually at the epicenter of history now with the LGBT movement, and after all the fighting we've done for just our equal rights, I still have to pinch myself every day that we have this:  marriage.  For those of us old enough to remember Stonewall, Act Up, the AIDS crisis, Prop 22, Prop 8... to stand here today and realize we have overturned DOMA, overturned Don't Ask, Don't Tell and slowly but surely are getting marriage rights across the country...I'm not going to lie, it brings tears to my eyes,” says event producer JD Disalvatore.

This unique event, without any other equivalent in Southern California, opens the doors for select gay-friendly local and national businesses seeking to effectively court the influential power of the LGBT audience.

Attendees will have the chance to win several exclusive raffle items, including a 4 night, penthouse honeymoon package courtesy of Maui Sunseeker (www.mauisunseeker.com), and a bachelorette party VIP package from Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend.

As the LGBT Wedding Industry continues to exponentially thrive, couples still seek help for their Big Day. The Los Angeles Lesbian & Gay Wedding Expo, already expected to draw thousands, is a must-attend event, not only for same-sex couples planning their dream weddings but also for any and all corporate and small business supporters committed to reaching loyal LGBT audiences and their allies.

Tickets are $25 for VIP which includes a complimentary gift bag and a hosted bar hosted by Premiere Events, or General Admission at $10                                                                                 

Tickets can be purchased online at: http://lagayweddingguide.tix.com

Designer Creates LGBT-friendly Wedding Jewellery

Ben Bridge Jeweler, one of the biggest independently owned jewelry chains in the country, is now marketing to the LGBT community by stocking a jewelry collection whose very reason for being is to celebrate same-sex marriages.

The Seattle-based chain, which operates 70 stores primarily in the western United States,  has added Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry to its bridal cases in its Tacoma and Spokane locations. Rony Tennenbaum has been revolutionizing the bridal jewelry industry with 25 years of experience creating engagement, wedding, and anniversary rings for same-sex couples. But the pickup by Ben Bridge marks the company's first-ever chain retailer account. 

Rony introduced his own collection after recognizing the need for LGBT wedding jewelry that went beyond the stereotypical rainbows and triangles. According to the designer Engagement and wedding rings should proclaim love, not sexual orientation. 

Rony Tennenbaum’s unique pieces are built with fashion in mind and driven by classic, timeless features.  By using EcoGold in most of his creations, he guarantees that no toxins or waste materials are dumped into the environment. In addition, his strong beliefs in bringing well-needed jobs back to the US encouraged Rony to make sure most of his jewelry is locally made.

The partnership between Ben Bridge and Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry is not only a perfect match but also timely. The same sex wedding market is burgeoning nationally creating a boom in the LGBT bridal industry in key cities.

Ben Bridge travels the world in search of unique designs and the highest quality diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine timepieces and is excited to continue its tradition of offering fine jewelry with the addition of Tennenbaum’s collection.

www.RonyTennenbaum.com

About Ben Bridge Jeweler

Ben Bridge Jeweler was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1912 on a simple promise: to offer the finest jewelry, best selection, and friendly, knowledgeable service. Family-run for five generations, Ben Bridge operates more than 70 retail stores in 11 states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.  In 2012, the American Gem Society awarded the Bridge family with a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of their significant contributions to the jewelry industry.   For more information about Ben Bridge Jeweler visit www.benbridge.com.

The UK Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Today, I am so proud of my country.

I am based in Canada right now; a place where they don't care who you marry, as long as you both like hockey. AMIRIGHT?

Today, my country became a place where we don't care who you marry, as long as you both like tea and crumpets.

Okay, I'm playing on stereotypes here. (But it's true. Shush.)

At a time when only 11 countries (not including the UK) have national legal gay marriage, this is historic. Yes, the United States are one fifth of the way there, and Mexico and Brazil are following suit too, but the UK just became the 12th country to pass a same-sex marriage bill on a national scale. (Okay, not entirely true as Scotland are not included. But two of our four countries are 100% gay approved.)

Today in the House of Commons, there were intense debates on the issue. Some crazy religious people used the same old "Adam & Steve" argument, whilst others claimed they were "protecting marriage."

One MP claimed he was opposing the bill in an attempt to "protect the sanctity of marriage." Said MP has also been divorced and is now re-married. I wonder which marriage he was protecting the sanctity of?

Anyway, the best argument in my opinion came from Kate Green, an MP who represents Stretford and Urmston (a constituency within Greater Manchester).

Green - a straight, married woman dedicated to equal rights for all - used her wisdom to turn all of the opposing arguments face down. She was correct in saying that all of the opposing arguments are not valid. HELLS YEAH.

In the end, the commons voted and the bill was approved, 400-175. A huge majority!

We're still waiting to hear from the House of Lords (a.k.a. the Senate, for you North American folk), but chances are, they will not overturn the bill.

Fingers crossed!

Once again, I am so proud of my country today. Thank you all for being such awesome people.

UK Prime Minister Threatens To Cut Aid To Homophobic Countries

Hey gays, here's another step up the UK have made this week: Prime Minister David Cameron seems to have explicitly stated that he will "cut aid to countries who refuse to overturn their bans on homosexuality."

Cameron, who has in the past been dubbed homophobic himself, seems to have changed his attitude completely - and the Ugandan Government are already furious.

As homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda and the majority of other African countries, this could be a huge threat to their continent. However, the fact that Mr. Cameron is standing up for gay rights on a worldwide scale appears to be one of the best things he's done for the country.

Furthermore, although he once said that legalizing gay marriage was not an option, there have now been several reports implying that Cameron wishes to make same-sex marriage legal by the year 2015.

Personally, I did not support him in the last UK election, but it seems that I am changing my mind about him. I wouldn't consider myself a Conservative party member, yet it is clear that Cameron's intentions are positive for the LGBTQ community.

Now we just have to see whether he lives up to his word...

What do you gays think about Cameron and how do you think he will go about handling these issues in the future?