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my history

Gino's mission statement is to offer service and accurate information to everyone who is willing to take the time and energy in understandingtrue acceptance social inclusion and equality and diversity. Among many achievementsto date Gino is proud in share some of these with you :-

  • Exclusive agreement with the National Trust in the UK and Scotland
  • The UK 's first Gay Wedding Show (Nov 2004). Raising awareness with the Gay Wedding Show in Belfast, Cardiff, Manchester and back to Brighton the day before the Civil Partnership became legal, The UK's official gay Wedding Show is now in its 4th year
  • Toured the UK with the first pre - Civil Partnership road show
  • Gay awareness programmes for the registration service
  • Bringing commitment ceremonies to Pride across the UK
  • Successfully campaigned for equal rights in the retail and goods sector, showing that people's and companies' perceptions of sexual orientation can be changed.
  • Launched a charity Gay Surrey, to help the community of Surrey
  • Launched stophatenow.org.co to encourage third party reporting to hate crime
  • Consult for the Registration Service, Police, County Councils and the NHS
  • Train on Equality and Diversity for a new market
  • Consulted on the new Human Rights framework for the NHS for Equality and Diversity
  • Changed rulings on Approved venue applications that discriminate
  • Speaker for numerous events, including Equality Matters, Registration Service, International Day Against Homophobia and Number 10
  • Took post as Chairman of the GBA (Gay Business Association) in 2007
  • Consulted on the Single Equality Bill and Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
  • Speaker for the Wedding Professionals Conference, Reading and London on Civil Partnerships and Gay Rights
  • Speaker at Surrey Schools Anti-bullying Event
  • Gino wins "Everybody Matters" award given by Surrey County Council 2008
  • Gino Meriano interviewed in ABTA magazine first and ground breaking gay and lesbian supplement
  • 2008 Gino launches GMJ Travel in the USA visit website part of the World Ventures Group
  • 2008 Leadership Forum - Diversity Yes, Stigma No - NHS

 

2008

Call for better police response over gay hate crime
CHARITY for the gay community in the county has applauded a government promise to tackle gay hate crime, following “disturbing” new findings.

But the chairman of Weybridge-based Gay Surrey, Gino Meriano has also called for increased support from authorities after a survey revealed that half of those reporting homophobic crime in the county found Surrey Police's response “poor”.

His comments follow a statement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith vowing to address homophobic hate crime, after a national survey showed the extent of abuse facing many of Britain's 3.6 million lesbian and gay people on a daily basis.

Read the full story

Also covered in the Woking, Esher and Weybridge News and Mail. Surrey Comet and Surrey Advertiser group

NHS bosses' new name for homosexuals
In the daily Express today, a new initiative orders staff NOT to use the word “gay” and instead refer to homosexuals as “men who have sex with men”. Doctors and nurses have been told to use the new terminology for fear of stigmatising men who have had same sex relationships but do not consider themselves homosexual.

Gino Meriano comments "have we gone insane, why on Earth would the NHS do something as ridiculous as this, it only proves that to believe your doing something right without approaching the correct organisations first ends up causing more harm than good". John Midgley co-founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, Professor David Goldberg who advises health boards on the terminology issue and Phillip Davies, Tory MP were among the few that spoke out about the announcementmade by the NHS.

One in five gay people victim of hate crime in last three years

BBC Southern Counties Radio, Surrey Comet and Newsquest intervews Gino on Hate Crime in Surrey
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today tasked the Ministerial Action Group on Violence to address homophobic hate crime in the light of disturbing new findings from major new research. The first statistically significant national survey of its kind reveals the extent of abuse facing many of Britain's 3.6 million lesbian and gay people on a daily basis. One in five have been a victim of one or more homophobic hate crimes in the last three years. However three in four don't report such incidents to the police, many believing that no action will follow. The incidents ranged from harassment to serious physical and sexual assaults.

Gino Meriano Chair of the charity Gay Surrey speaks out “Over the last year we have created a survey to help those in the public sector to understand the needs and priorities of the LGB community in Surrey, with this national survey together with our local survey I hope that the police and schools authority will at last throw their support behind our “Stop Hate Now” and  “Learn, Teach, Grow” campaigns, specifically aimed at key issues highlighted by this survey.

Surrey
57% of people in Surrey said they would report a hate incident/crime if it happened to them, however of the 39% that have been a victim in Surrey 62% did not report it.

When asked:
If you did report the incident/crime how did Surrey Police react to your request 49% said it was poor.
46% say they feel the need to hide their sexuality in public to remain safe
Only 18% felt Surrey Police treat everyone fairly regardless of their sexuality
30% feel Surrey Police do not understand the issues that affect the LGB community

Stats from the Gay Surrey Lifestyle survey as of the 26th June 2008

London
Respondents in London were more likely to alter their behaviour so as not to be identified as gay, in order to escape attack and abuse, than in any other area of Britain. They were also more likely to say they fell victim to homophobic hate crime because of where they were, such as near a gay venue, – with 40 per cent saying so – than anywhere else in Britain

Jacqui Smith continued ‘In the 21 st century no one in Britain should ever feel under threat of verbal or physical violence just because of their sexual orientation. We're determined that lesbian and gay people should have the confidence to report crimes to the police knowing that they will be taken seriously, the crime investigated and their privacy respected. Our key priorities are to increase reporting; increase offences brought to justice and to tackle repeat victimisation and hotspots.'

Mike Cunningham, an ACPO lead on gay equality and Deputy Chief Constable of Lancashire, said: ‘The statistics speak for themselves. It cannot be acceptable that a third of victims do not report incidents to the police because they do not think the police would, or could, do anything about it. Neither is it right that two thirds of those who reported incidents to the police were not offered or referred to advice or support services. ‘The findings offer the service a real opportunity to make real improvements both in terms of how homophobic incidents are dealt with but also in terms of raising people's confidence in reporting these incidents in the first place.'

The report's ten key recommendations include encouraging police to improve the recording of homophobic hate incidents and help lesbian and gay people to report them. The report also recommends tackling homophobic bullying in schools and the workplace in order to help reduce the likelihood of homophobic incidents on the streets. 

ABTA Magazine - gay and lesbian supplement
Gino Meriano spoke to ABTA magazine for their ground breaking gay and lesbian supplement in the travel industry.
ABTA Magazine: The official monthly trade publication of the travel association ABTA, has a membership of just under 1,500 companies, with 6,000 offices, accounting for around 90% of sales of package holidays in the UK. Read more

Surrey County Council's Awards for Volunteering is now in its fourth year.
Surrey County Council continues to recognise the fantastic work that volunteers do to help make Surrey a better place and improve residents' quality of life in Surrey.

This year the prestigious Awards Ceremony will be held at County Hall on the 16th June.

Gino Meriano has won the “Everybody Matters” Award for 2008. The award is given for outstanding volunteers who help to give others a voice e.g. representing vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities; tackling inequalities; promoting partnerships.

Princeton Premier honors
Gino Meriano has been nominated for their professionals of the year award, his biograohy has now been listed among the most prominent professionals and business executives in the world today. Gino has been included in the 2008/9 Princeton Premier Honors Edition of Professional Leaders. Visit Website

Guides 4 Brides
Gino Meriano talks to the wedding industry at the Manor Hotel Guildford about the Civil Partnerships Act, the effects of the Equality Act and how best to ensure companies work closer with the LGB community through terms, language and presenting stats aurrounding the trends for the current and new wedding market. The night was a huge success.

NEWS ASSOCIATES
Gino Meriano talks to News Associates regarding Ken Livingstone's decision in refusing to contribute to the funding of the 2008 International Gay and Lesbian Football Association World Championship, held in London this August. Visit website

A major poll of lesbian and gay people has found that despite recent legislative protections, a majority still believe they will be discriminated against when accessing public services.

Here's is a snippet of the overall thoughts

•  Nine in ten expect barriers to becoming foster parent
•  One in four expect to be treated worse by police if victim of hate crime
•  Nearly one in five still bullied at work for being gay
•  One in five expect worse treatment when applying for social housing.
•  60 per cent expect to face barriers to becoming a magistrate.
•  A fifth expect to be treated worse than a heterosexual when reporting any crime to the police. A third think they would be treated worse by police if suspected of committing a crime, a figure which rises to 41 per cent in London.
•  Nearly a quarter think they would be treated worse if they appeared before a judge for committing a criminal offence.
•  Almost a third expect to be treated worse than a heterosexual when enrolling their child in primary or secondary school.
•  Three in five still think they'd face barriers if they wanted to be a parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party, a figure that rises to 90 per cent for the Conservatives. 

AMICA MAGAZINE
Gino Meriano and his company Pink Weddings featured in AMICA, Italy's well known fashion magazine. AMICA speaks to a range of leading UK planners in the industry. Read more

BBC Southern Counties Radio Interview on bullying in Surrey Schools

Gino speaks to BBC SouthernCounties radio about the Stonewall billboard campaign and defends the need to raising awareness in Surrey, with Hate Crime on theincrease and bullyingin Schools under reported there is always a need for any typeof campaign that helps raise light to this issue. Dated 25th Feb

SURREY Police has begun a murder investigation after a man was assaulted in Walton Lane just off Walton Bridge on Tuesday 19 February at around 3pm.

Gino Meriano speaks to

BBC Southern Counties
EAGLE FM
Surrey Herald
Esher News and Mail
Elmbridge Guardian

about third part reporting, prevertion and caution behind meeting people in a public place. Updates available on our StopHateNow website

THE STORY
SURREY Police has begun a murder investigation after a man was assaulted in Walton Lane just off Walton Bridge on Tuesday 19 February at around 3pm.

The man, who was in his 50s, was taken by air ambulance to St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey where he died at 5.30pm.The area has been cordoned off and Walton Bridge and Walton Lane have been closed while investigations continue.A police dog unit and the Surrey Police helicopter have also been assisting officers with the investigation.

The man was stabbed and early indications lead police to believe that he might have known his attacker, though we do not know in what context or for how long.

He was attacked in the public toilets off Walton Bridge, a popular meeting place for men. The victim was gay and detectives are appealing for information not only from the general public, but also specifically from members of the gay community and other people who use these toilets. Anyone who was in the toilets or in the vicinity around 3 pm on Tuesday February 19th is asked to ring 0845 125 2222. You might not think you hold important information but please do call so that detectives can decide what is relevant to the investigation and build up a picture of what happened. 

Gino Meriano speaks at Marwell Hotel
An introduction to the the Civil Partnership market, The Equality Act and the future of the wedding industry. An insight into Equality in the UK and legislation across the world.

Perfect Wedding Planning by Cherry Chappell
Published on the 15th February 2008 by Random House Books. The book covers every aspect of wedding planning including Civil Partnerships, Gino Meriano consulted with Cherry on the Civil Partnership section and are featured within the book.

The Gay Business Association launches new brand look for 2008
For over 6 months Gino Meriano, his partner and commitee of the GBA have worked on creating a new fresh look, logo and website for LGBT businesses in the UK. From the creation of the overall brand to the launch party at the Glasshouse at Camden Lock the GBA at set to become the voice for gay business in the UK. Celebrating 25 years of the association Gino worked on creating a new identity that complimented our modern society.
Launched 16th January - Visit Website

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours programme
Consumer news and issues with Peter White and John Waite. Today's interview highlights the current market 2 years on after the Civil Partnership came into effect, the UK's Official Gay Wedding show, acceptance within mainstream markets and overall perceptions.
Interview aired 10th January 2008

BBC Southern Counties Radio
Stonewall today publishes its 2008 Workplace Equality Index, showcasing Britain 's top 100 employers for gay people. Top employer for 2008 is Nacro, the national crime reduction charity. The Greater London Authority comes second. Hampshire and Staffordshire police forces are joint third in the Index, which is based on a range of key indicators.

This morning Gino Meriano from the charity Gay Surrey was asked on the show with Hampshire Police to talk about their work within the community, LAGLO officers and the fact that Hampshire Constabulary came 3rd in Stonewalls top 100 employers for gay and lesbian staff

I would like to pass on my support and congratulations to Hampshire Police for their excellence in the field and achieving this great result

Info : 17 police forces feature on the top 100 with an average score of 81%
Interview aired 9th January 2008

Gay Charity Action threat after shopping centre ban
You may recall the story in Februarys edition of the Woking News and Mail which talked about how Gay Surrey where not allowed a stand in the Peacocks centre, Mr Keeping, Centre Manager indicated that there was no room for compromise on the issue and felt the charities presence was deemed inappropriate in a family shopping centre.

Some 8 months later we find ourselves back in the hot seat and declined space to promote "World Aids Day" as it was deemed inappropriate to have a presence in a shopping centre that is for families and children. Mr Keeping stated "I don't think the promotion of lesbian or gay activity is appropriate in this centre but I'm not saying it isn't appropriate elsewhere"

As a charity we are taking the relevant steps to ensure this kind of discrimination is made known to the relevant people. We have reported this to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Surrey asking them to investigate this further under the Equality Act 2006 which legislates against discrimination in the retail and goods sector

We will keep you posted as the story unfolds, but in the meantime we need your help

The next step is to start a petition to raise awareness to this and to see how far we as a charity can go to prevent this kind of discrimination from happening again, remember we should now be protected under the Equality Act 2006.

Please sign our petition

2007

Guardian interview on the gay wedding market
The icing on the cake: selling gay couples the right kind of wedding
Society Partnership days backed by John Lewis and Moss Bros, but prejudice still remains
By : Maev Kennedy on Monday November 5 2007
Read the full story

Lithuanians business and politics news magazine and newspaper
Gino Meriano was interviewed by 'Verslo klase' and 'Verslo zinios', Lithuanians business and politics news magazine and newspaper. The interview covers Civil Partnerships in the UK and how other countries around Europe are looking to adopt similar options for same sex couples. The impact on equal rights when dealing with other European countries. Visit the website for further details and story

Surrey Schools Anti Bullying Event
National Anti-Bullying Week 19th - 23rd November 2007 - Hilton Hotel, Cobham, Surrey

Surrey County Council is holding an event to promote anti-bullying. The event is to support schools with solution-focused approaches, to launch Surrey's revised anti-bullying strategy; start work on a Charter Mark for Surrey schools using pupils to evaluate school's performance; and to promote partnership working between school staff and young people.

This will be a fantastic opportunity to see how other schools, and the whole of Surrey are trying to put a stop to bullying.

Gino Meriano gay rights campaigner and chair of the charity Gay Surrey will be speaking about homophobic bullying in schools and launching their new "Learn, Teach, Grow" campaign and Surrey's first detailed report about young people from young people.

Government approves incitement to gay hate law
The Justice Secretary has announced that a new offence of incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation will be introduced in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.

Jack Straw added that he would consider similar protections for trans and disabled people.

The House of Commons met today for the first time since July to hear a statement from the Prime Minister on Iraq and to give the bill its second reading.

"It is a measure of how far we have come as a society in the last ten years that we are now appalled by hatred and invective directed at people on the basis of their sexuality," Mr Straw told MPs.

"It is time for the law to recognise this."

Gay rights advocates had been lobbying for a homophobic incitement law for more than six months.

Fundamentalist religious groups are claiming their members could face seven years in jail for expressing their views about homosexuality under the proposed new legislation.

Gino Meriano comments : It's fantastic news and a great step forward for increased protection and understanding of our community. This will and can only help prevent any uncalled hatred towards gay and lesbian people.

The Christian Institute claim that the proposed incitement law restricts free speech, targets Christians and will stifle debate about homosexuality.

Earlier this year the institute failed to stop the introduction of the Sexual Orientation Regulations which protect LGB people from discrimination in goods and services.

It objects to the extension of incitement to racial hatred laws to sexual orientation as "homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle. Many 'gay rights' activists would say that their sexual orientation is a choice, not a genetic characteristic."

Christians are already protected from incitement to religious hatred by law.

Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - BBC southern counties interview
In parliament

Jack Straw spoke about the Criminal Justice and Imigration Bill, he commented "The Government have a strong record of promoting equality and of tackling discrimination and bigotry in all its guises. We have strengthened the sentencing framework, so that sentences can be increased where race, religion, disability or sexual orientation are aggravating factors. We have also introduced legislation to outlaw the stirring up of religious hatred"

Gino Meriano spoke to BBC Southern Counties radio about the Bill Interview part one and part two

Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
Monday MPs are debating the amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill to potentially create something similar for the LGBT community when it comes to homophobic public outbursts.

It should mean we will be afforded similar protection under law as those preventing racial outbursts as incitement to racial violence.

Religious groups are bombarding Government with objections telling them that this would be an infringement of their ‘right to free speech'.

This of course is nonsense.

They will continue to have the freedom to practice their religion, however if someone holding a public office or indeed anyone who speaks in ‘public' should not be allowed to incite hatred just because of another's sexuality.

As a community, we are simply asking the Government to tackle words and behaviours which ‘stir up hate against gay people' in our society similar to those that prevent such action within other minority groups.

Gino Meriano, Gay Rights Campaigner says: “It is sad that some religious groups seem so intent on blocking true equality and inclusion in a modern society. Government have stated their commitment to simplifying and aligning equal protections for the 7 strands of diversity. Why can it be deemed unacceptable and illegal to racially offend where as to offend simply based on someone's sexuality should be viewed as OK? This simply reinforces the fact that minority groups are and will be on the attack for many years to come.”

The Equality Act is passed in Parliament - 30th April 2007
Gino Meriano, gay rights campaigner and founder of Pink Weddings says "A fantastic result and a new era is born, from the 30th April we finally have equal rights. When this legislation comes into effect organisations of all sizes supplying goods and services maybe caught off guard. Its just as important for gay businesses to understand the true impact this law will have on society today".

I'm delighted to be able to let you know that the House of Lords has just voted by 168 votes to 122 in support of our new goods and services protections for Great Britain. This was the very final vote we'll face on this issue and the new regulations will now come into effect from 30th April  2007.

This is the end of a hugely tough campaign which has lasted more than two years These new laws are long overdue and will make an enormous difference to the everyday lives of millions of people in Britain .

I would personally like to thank everyone who has supported our work, campaigns and who helped us submit over 10,000 signatures to parliament over the last year alone.

New ruling over Approved Venues for a licence in marriage and civil partnerships
Five years ago Gino started the campaign to eliminate discrimination towards same sex couples by venues and wedding suppliers. (Equality Act 2006)

August saw a monumental leap towards true equality for lesbian and gay couples who wish to hold their Civil Partnership at an Approved Venue with new guidance issued by LACORS.

Gino Meriano, Founder of Pink Weddings and gay rights campaigner exposed a loophole in the Civil partnership Act 2005. Venue owners and managers could apply for and be granted a license to hold Marriages or Civil Partnerships or both.  By permitting venue management to choose not to hold Civil Partnerships meant many could openly discriminate and legally and publically practise their prejudice and homophobia while hiding behind their approved licence.

The new guidance adopts Gino's recommendation that an approved venue must not discriminate simply based on sexual orientation. If a venue is granted a licence and is found to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples they will have their license revoked.

This now should close the loophole that any homophobic owners and managers were using to wriggle out of the legislation's.

Mr Meriano continues “ as with all anti discrimination legislation, equality will not be instant. Society and people's opinions and attitudes take time to change. However, we now have the full weight of the law behind us to prosecute those who offer their venue to the public and choose to continue to practice homophobia”.

Guidance on Civil Partnership Ceremonies and Approved Premises
LACORS is aware of the debate regarding the impact of the Equality Act on premises that openly refuse to allow civil partnership ceremonies within their venue. The existing legislation enables the holder of an approval to book both marriages and civil partnerships. It does not make it a requirement for the grant of approval to be “regularly available” for both. LACORS considers that this is in breach of Councils equal opportunity policies and would be keen to revoke an approval if it could be proved that premises were openly discriminating. GRO have looked at this issue and have indicated that a local authority could make compliance with the Equality Act a local condition to the granting of an approval. Whilst it is for a local authority to be satisfied that it has the vires to attach a condition relating to the Equality Act to an approval, and to answer any challenge on their power to do so, GRO's view is that a court might favourably regard the inclusion of such a condition were they to be considering such a challenge.

LACORS recognise the problems revocation of a licence for discrimination could bring to innocent couples who had booked their ceremony some time in advance and would recommend that Local Authorities should explore every avenue to achieve compliance but they do retain the right by use of a local condition to revoke a licence. However, Section 8(2) of the Approved Premises regulations provide that before revoking an approval on the grounds of failing to comply with one of the conditions attached to the approval (and this scenario would be under that provision) the Local Authority shall give the approval holder at least 14 days to respond to the proposal to revoke.

LACORS have issued the following standard condition that Local Authorities may consider using in their Approved Premises Licence under "Local Conditions"

"The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 require providers of goods, facilities and services to ensure that they are not treating their customers unfairly on the grounds of sexual orientation. If the holder of an approval is deemed by the Local Authority to discriminate on the grounds of the sexuality of the couple the Council reserves the right to revoke this approval."

In offering this advice LACORS wishes to make it clear that:

    • Legislation may change over time and the advice given is based on the information available at the time the guidance was produced. It is not necessarily comprehensive and is subject to revision in the light of further information. LACORS accepts no legal liability for the information contained.
    • Only the courts can interpret statutory legislation with any authority.
    • This advice is not intended to be a definitive guide to, nor substitute for, the relevant law. Independent legal advice should be sought where appropriate.

Ruth Kelly changes role
After numerous petitions, visits to number 10 and an article about the hopes/fears of Gordon brown – it is announced that British politics has changed when Gordon Brown announced his Cabinet appointees, shifting former Communities secretary Ruth Kelly to Transport secretary.

Gino Meriano, Gay rights campaigner and founder of Pink weddings says” for whatever reasons Gordon Brown moved Ruth Kelly, our overall thoughts should be to the fact that we no longer have a Roman Catholic and a devout member of Opus Dei, as position of Minister of Women and Equality.

We now look to the Single Equality Bill for Great Britain and a hope this will be passed fairly and without personal opinions, all eyes are now focussed on Hazel Blears, Labour MP of Salford. I would also like to thank everyone that has helped support our campaigns and signed the petitions against Ruth Kelly”

IDAHO 2007 (International Day Against Homophobia)
Gay Surrey's IDAHO was an amazing night with over 120 people attending the evening at the Oatlands Park Hotel.

The evening kicked off with the release of 77 balloons highlighting the 77 countries around the world where it is still illegal to be gay.

The night unveiled the need to raise awareness to hidden homophobia in Surrey and how we as a community should be more visible and speak out in putting an end to hate crime.

Gino Meriano Chair of Gay Surrey, followed Bill Buckley's opening speech by talking about the meaning behind IDAHO and hate crime across the world and the importance of speaking out, forming new partnerships and their new stophate now campaign , QBOY's powerful speech about the young and his live performance of his latest single closed the evening on a high and created a new buzz for action".

Gino says" the night was electrifying there was so much support, not only from our community but from everyone, including organisations that believed more needed to be done, IDAHO Surrey was not about promoting the work our charity have done so far but the importance surrounding the "International Day Against Homophobia" as awhole. There is enough hatred in the world we need to come together as never before and reinforce the need for social acceptance and understanding, we are people to".

The committee were proud to have the following sponsors who also kindly donated to the night from Surrey Police, the Met police, Falcons Football Club, Blackfords Solicitors, THT, Connexions. and GYSE.

From creating IDAHO Surrey 2007 to the actual night itself the charity raised over £870 towards their campaign and wish to thank everyone that contributed towards making this happen.

Gino Meriano, Chair of Gay Surrey continues "this event proved there is so much more to do and as a result of this we will be launching the StopHate Now conference later this year. This will be part two of IDAHO Surrey 2007 offering everyone the opportunity to find out what has happened in Surrey since the 17th May and where we and our partners are heading for the future, more details will follow".

IDAHO is about awareness and your support is always needed, believe it or not we are already planning IDAHO Surrey 2008

Pink Weddings USA
May sees www.pinkweddings.uk.com launch in New York to support gay couples in America against President Bush and his Administrations' discrimination. The initiative was supported by VisitBritain UK and New York.

Number 10 - 5th December 2006
Gino and Mike Meriano takes on Ruth Kelly MP, seeks her resignation and submits a petition of over 10,000 signatures to Number 10, Downing Street .

Awards for Pink Weddings
Pink Weddings wins awards with leading gay publication
G3 Magazine
 1.Wedding Planner of the year award with G3 Magazine
2.Best Civil Partnership Website award with G3 Magazine
Gino and his team were recognised for their commitment, passion and dedication

Campaigning overseas
In his ongoing campaign to raise awareness for gay rights, families and weddings Gino and his team launch in Europe and into the long haul market. Destinations include Northern Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Prague, Toronto, Rockie Mountains and Thailand

Bromley March (changing Bromley Councils' Attitude)
2005 saw Gino organise and lead a campaign with over 100 people in the streets of Bromley to protest at the council's decision to ban Civil Partnership ceremonies in all their municipal buildings, including the register office. The peaceful march started at the Crown and Anchor Public House and made its way through Bromley to the Civil Hall, where Gino Meriano, campaigner and founder of Pink Weddings, handed in a petition from thousands of outraged residents. “The march brought Bromley to a stand still,” and we won.

The Civil Partnership - 21st December 2005
Gino Meriano and his partner Mike Ullett became history makers as the first couple in the England to hold their Civil Partnership in Brighton at 8am on the 21 st December 2005, a great way of expressing his campaign for equal rights and his very own commitment.

Ongoing work
Gino starts with increased zeal, a campaign to educate companies that do not accept a Civil Partnership Certificates, Equality and Diversitytraining and the launch of new gay awareness programmes across the UK helping companies understand the requirements from the LGBT community.

Co-op Funeralcare
Gino and his team forge a partnership with Co-op Funeralcare to launch Pink Partings. This concept was created to offer couples who are seeking help and advice when arranging funerals arrangements and their legal rights. www.pinkpartings.co.uk

Gino and the Team
Gino and his team continually face acceptance issues with some suppliers, businesses and venues.
It's surprising that even in today's world stereotyped perceptions still make it difficult to get a hotel to say yes or even a local florist to offer flowers, with a staggering 23% still saying no.

Gino has given his support and time to raising awareness for same sex ceremonies and celebrations, the Civil Partnership, Register Office conferences and supports charitable projects across the UK to help educate and further acceptance in today's society.

To date Gino and his team have arranged over 2000 weddings across the UK and overseas, Gino is a firm believer that the future brings exciting changes for gay and lesbian families, but is tireless in his pursuit for full recognition in law and society.