We recently had the chance to connect with Zabrina Zablan-Duvauchelle and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zabrina, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
In my first 90 minutes, I skim and respond to emails, organize my day by prioritizing tasks and tightening up the calendar, and down about two cups of coffee. If I can squeeze it in, there’s a little doom-scrolling, too and then it’s heads-down in my work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Zabrina Zablan-Duvauchelle, a Native Hawaiian, queer event producer and community organizer. My work lives at the intersection of culture, celebration, and care and building spaces where our people feel seen, safe, and fully themselves.
The Gay Agenda Collective (TGA) is my heart project and company: a queer- and Native Hawaiian–owned wedding & event planning studio based on Oʻahu. We specialize in inclusive, culturally grounded planning for couples and organizations, with a focus on sustainability and real hospitality. From full-service weddings to community festivals. What makes us different is the way we center story and belonging: we curate affirming vendor teams, honor ʻāina and protocol, and design experiences that reflect who our clients are (not who the industry says they should be). If you’re seeking thoughtful logistics, creative design, and values-aligned execution, that’s our lane. 
A little origin story: TGA was born after my own challenging experience planning a queer wedding in 2018, we turned that pain point into purpose, building a practice that removes friction and expands joy for LGBTQ+ folks and allies alike. Since then, we’ve grown into a trusted partner for destination celebrations and local cultural events across Hawaiʻi.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My wife. We met in 2014 when we were young, and she’s shaped so much of who I am, personally, creatively, and as a leader. She expanded what I understood about love…its patience, grit, and daily choice…and taught me that love is worth fighting for, even on the messy days. We’ve grown up together through big life moves and bigger dreams: building a queer, Native Hawaiian–led business, showing up for community, and learning to balance tenderness with ambition.
She’s also my greatest mirror. She celebrates the loud wins and quietly calls me back to my values. In the hardest seasons (launches, late-night timelines, Pride planning, the whole small-business rollercoaster), she’s the steady hand that reminds me why we do this work: to create joy, safety, and possibility for our people. Because of her, I lead with more courage, design with more heart, and give myself more grace. Everything I am today is deeply tied to the life we’re building together.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell younger me: You are enough. Your creativity isn’t random, it’s a gift, and it will take you further than you can see right now. You don’t have to shrink to fit anybody’s expectations, and your family story does not define your ceiling. You get to choose who you become.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the wedding and events industry is the idea that inclusivity isn’t possible or that it’s somehow “too hard” to do well. The truth is, it’s not only possible, it’s necessary. The industry often clings to the narrative that weddings must follow a rigid, traditional format handed down by straight, cisnormative frameworks. That story erases individuality, sidelines queer couples, and makes clients feel like they have to fit into a box instead of celebrating who they truly are.
Another lie is that couples can’t have autonomy and that planners, venues, or vendors “know best.” In reality, the best weddings come when couples are empowered to lead with their own love story, culture, and values, with us as professionals supporting their vision rather than dictating it.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
Not carving out enough time for my people, my wife, my family, my friends, and for seeing the world together. I’ve poured years into building the business to a solid place, and I’m proud of that. But if I look ahead, the only thing I could imagine truly regretting is missing the ordinary magic: slow mornings with my wife, messy dinners with family, laughter with friends, and traveling the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegayagenda.co
- Instagram: @thegayagenda.co
- Other: TikTok @thegayagenda.co
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