You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence. - Charles Austin Beard







Tuesday, September 09, 2008

A perfect example of why California needs Prop 8

According to a WorldNetDaily article, "Brides" and "grooms" are no longer allowed to marry in the State of California. That privilege is only extended to individuals who allow themselves to be called "Party A" and "Party B" on marriage licenses.

Pastor Doug Bird of Abundant Life Fellowship in Roseville, Calif., was alarmed to find the state now rejects the traditional terms after he officiated his first marriage ceremony last week following the California Supreme Court decision to overturn Proposition 22.

The couple had written the words "bride" and "groom" next to "Party A" and "Party B" because they wanted to be legally recognized as husband and wife.

However, the Placer County marriage license was denied.

"I received back the license and a letter from the Placer County Clerk/Recorder stating that the license 'does not comply with California State registration laws,'" Bird said in a statement from the Pacific Justice Institute.

It was an "unacceptable alteration," the County Recorder's Office claimed the State Office of Vital Records determined.

"What's next?" Bird wrote in a Sept. 4 letter. "Will the State of California force [ministers] to use the terms "Party A" and "Party B" in the ceremony itself?"

In a 4-3 decision, California's high court declared that legal definitions of marriage as a union between a man and a woman were unconstitutional. Since the ruling, the generic designations have been added to legal documents.

Pacific Justice Institute President Brad Dacus said voters must change the state constitution by voting on the marriage amendment in November if they wish to preserve the traditional meaning of marriage.

"Unless Proposition 8 is passed, heterosexual couples will be forced to wed out of the state if they wish to be officially identified as bride and groom or husband and wife." He said in a statement. "This is a major slap in the face for traditional marriage."

Want to sound off? Use the contact information below to voice your opinion.

Jim McCauley, County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters
2954 Richardson DriveAuburn, CA 95603
Recordings - (530) 886-5600
Clerk - (530) 886-5610
Fax: (530) 886-5687
E-mail: clerk@placer.ca.gov

2 comments:

Patrick Meighan said...

"According to a WorldNetDaily article, "Brides" and "grooms" are no longer allowed to marry in the State of California. That privilege is only extended to individuals who allow themselves to be called "Party A" and "Party B" on marriage licenses."

Why does it matter if that line on a marriage license happens to be gender-neutral? How does that devalue or in any way affect any Californian's marriage? And how is this an example of the supposed need for Prop 8? We "need" to keep consenting, monogamous, loving Californians who happen to be of the same gender from marrying each other in order to protect the sanctity of a line item on a piece of government paperwork? I've heard many silly reasons why we should revoke rights from fellow Californians who are hurting absolutely no one, but this has got to be the silliest.

Patrick Meighan
Culver City, CA

Bruce French said...

Oh maybe because you're destroying the majority of Californians' right to be recognized as husband and wife and marriage itself since throughout the history of mankind marriage has always been between men and women and not the same sex.