KEY WEST — In what is being called the first event of its kind since the advent of marriage equality last month, same-sex couples who want to get married in the Florida Keys are invited to attend the Gay Key West Same-Sex Wedding Expo on March 11.

The event is being held at the Marriott Beachside Hotel in Key West by the Key West Business Guild and will feature as many as 40 LGBT vendors, organizers say. Businesses range from venues and wedding planners to florists, musicians, jewelers, caterers, cake makers, photographers, videographers, tailors and officiants.

As a longtime favorite destination of LGBT travelers, Key West hosted scores of commitment ceremonies before same-sex marriage was legalized in Florida. It also was the first city in Florida to officially recognize gay domestic partnerships.

The first same-sex wedding in the Florida Keys took place just after midnight on Jan. 6 between Key West residents Aaron Huntsman and William Lee Jones. Their lawsuit helped pave the way for marriage equality in the state.

Admission to the expo and mixer is $10 per person.

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