The Abbey Food And Bar

GET ME TO THE ABBEY ON TIME!

Mass Gay Wedding Set For June 1, 2004
Mayor Duran to Officiate, Margaret Cho to Preside
Sundance Channel to Stream Events LIVE on the Web

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA. - 5/10/04 - On June 1, 2004, one hundred couples in their wedding finery will be racing to West Hollywood, CA, crying "Get Me to The Abbey on Time!!" At 8:00pm that evening, the historic nightclub, The Abbey, will host a mass gay wedding celebration officiated by the city's Mayor John Duran and presided over by comedian Margaret Cho. The celebrations will also feature performances by the dance diva Pepper MaShay and the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles.

Couples from all over the United States are encouraged to join in and participate, and can register immediately. GLAAD will be holding marriage training seminars on site for interested couples and will provide educational information to all attendees.

A portion of the marriage ceremony will be streamed live on Sundance Channels website (www.sundancechannel.com) . There will be a "Wedding Toast" area where participating couples will have the opportunity to "shout-out" to friends and relatives on camera, live via the internet. Sundance Channel will also create a portrait of one couple as they go through the day to be shown on air throughout the month June as part of the cable network's annual "OUT LOUD" month of programming. Sundance Channel will also provide "wedding gifts" for the newlyweds.

Sundance Channel Senior Vice President Marketing, Kirk Iwanowski, said "What it means to be gay in America today has never been more in question. We're committed to showcasing the diverse make-up of the LGBT community with the 6th Annual Out Loud FilmFest and the June 1 event at The Abbey is the perfect launching pad. Stay tuned...depending upon the progress made in the California State Supreme Court later this month on the legality of gay marriage - this event could be cause for celebration or cause for demonstration within the gay community"

Mayor Duran has offered his support, officially proclaiming, "The City of West Hollywood supports marriages for same sex couples and is working hard to change California law. Although we do not yet have equal protection under the law, no government can prevent us from loving whom we choose."

The symbolism of The Abbey's name has not gone unnoticed by patrons or its owner, David Cooley who is donating his architecturally stunning "old world" space for the event.

Margaret Cho, - who has launched her own supportive web site at www.loveisloveislove.com says, "I don't know why conservatives are so against gay marriage. It would be the perfect solution to Bush's economy and jobs failures. Income from ice sculptures alone could pay off the National Debt."

The Abbey has been known as a celebrity haunt for everyone from Janet Jackson to Christina Aguilera. It has won numerous accolades. Los Angeles Magazine hails The Abbey as "The Best Gay Bar to Bring a Straight Friend To," in its annual 101 Things We Love issue, plus West Hollywood Awards deemed it "Outstanding Restaurant and Bar for 2003."

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