Under One Roof
Gay expo offers diverse services for GLBT couples and singles
Nearly 150 gay and gay-friendly exhibitors will be on display on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Washington Convention Center for the third annual Gay Life & Home Show.
”The main focus, the reason why we started this, was just for gays and lesbians to have these companies [they can go to] that are not going to discriminate against [them],” says Bill Harrison of Alexandria, who launched the Gay Life & Home Show with his partner in 2005.
”You’ve got your traditional home and garden shows,” he adds. ”[But] this is that kind of show geared toward the GLBT community with a lot of fun aspects. It’s not your typical booths that are just lined up everywhere for people to visit.”
Instead, the Gay Life & Home Show, geared toward both singles and couples between 35 and 50, offers presentations on estate planning, Feng Shui and the ABC’s of gay and lesbian adoption, as well as a slate of entertainment. This year, the D.C. Cowboys and New York City’s Screaming Queens are scheduled to perform at the event. There’s even an indoor rock-climbing wall.
The exhibitors are just as diverse as the day’s events, says Harrison.
”There’s everything from things that you need for your home, whether it’s furniture, home improvements, handy-man services… and then you got the ‘life’ part,” which Harrison says encompasses a lot of the financial, real estate, fitness and salon exhibitors on hand.
This year, the Washington Humane Society joins other exhibitors by offering information on how to adopt pets.
”We’re really excited to have them on board,” Harrison says, adding that the organization plans to bring two dogs and two cats to the event.
Attendants can sign up online and in person for several giveaways, including gift certificates, event tickets and the this year’s grand prize: two first-class tickets to London for a five-day, four-night getaway with hotel accommodations.
”This is the real deal,” Harrison says of the trip, the winner of which will be announced at the end of the day. ”You don’t have to be present to win, but you do have to sign up.”
The Gay Life & Home Show is scheduled for 11 a.m. — 6 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. To register, or for more information, visit www.gaylifeandhome.com.
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