Course Description

EI Founder

Bernadette Smith

Bernadette Smith is founder of the Equality Institute and award-winning author of three books, including The Business of Gay Weddings: A Guide for Wedding Professionals. Through her wedding planning firm, 14 Stories, she has planned hundreds of LGBTQ weddings with couples from just about every state and around the world. Bernadette's expertise has been sought after by the Today Show, National Public Radio, the BBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, Travel and Leisure among many others.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Welcome

    • Video: Sophia and Rose

    • Discussion question
  • 2

    Language and Laws

    • Introducing....

    • Lesson: Your New Vocabulary

    • Lesson: Trans 101

    • Lesson: The Spectrum

    • Discussion question

    • Video: Pronouns

    • Discussion question

    • Quiz

    • Lesson: Terms to Avoid & the Coming Out Journey

    • Quiz

    • Video: Traveling when LGBTQ

    • Discussion question

    • Lesson: Beyond the Gender Binary in Our Weddings

    • Lesson: More Beyond the Gender Binary

    • Lesson: ID Issues

    • Restroom Police

    • Discussion question

    • Quiz

    • Homework

    • Additional Resources
  • 3

    Get Rid of Assumptions

    • Discussion question

    • Video: Tom and Lee

    • Discussion question

    • Lesson: When Someone Comes Out as Trans

    • Lesson: Proposals, Besties & Family

    • Lesson: Wardrobe and Family

    • Video: Xanax

    • Lesson: Trends and Traditions

    • "Political" Readings

    • Quiz

    • Quiz

    • Homework

    • Lesson: When Someone Comes Out as Non-Binary
  • 4

    Bridal's Got to Go!

    • Lesson: Misgendering Matters

    • Lesson: Accidental Exclusion

    • Discussion question

    • Quiz

    • Homework
  • 5

    Tell the World!

    • Video: David's Bridal

    • Video: Zales

    • Lesson: Advertising and Marketing Options

    • Lesson: Awesome Customer Service

    • Quiz

    • Quiz

    • Homework

    • Additional Resources
  • 6

    Wrap Up

    • Video: Talking Points and More