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Thursday May 29, 2008
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No More "Brides" and "Grooms" When California Opens Wide Gates to Same-Sex Marriage June 17
Three Times a Bridesmaid, but Never a Bride in California – Just Party B
By Peter J. Smith
SACRAMENTO, California, May 29, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – County clerks in California will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on June 17, according to a California state directive released Wednesday.
A letter from California’s Office of Vital Records told county clerks and recorders that counties can begin issuing the revised marriage licenses on June 17, the day after the state Supreme Court’s deadline to determine whether it will grant a stay of its May 15 ruling legalizing same-sex “marriage.”
The Liberty Counsel, a legal organization representing the Campaign for California Families, plans to file a motion with the high court Friday asking it to reconsider the case and order a stay of its decision until Californians vote in November on a state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the exclusive union of a man and a woman.
"It is imperative that the California Supreme Court reconsider the impact of its decision and stay the implementation of its opinion,” said Matt Staver, the founder of Liberty Counsel, who has been arguing the case before the court. “It is unreasonable to turn marriage upside down in thirty days and then to expect that the myriad of laws and social institutions affected will fall into neat categories. This decision is a train wreck in the making, and the only prudent course requires the Court to push the pause button in implementing the decision."
The directive sent by Janet McKee, Deputy State Registrar and Chief for the Office of Vital Records, reads, "Effective June 17, 2008, only the enclosed new forms may be issued for the issuance of marriage licenses in California."
The directive provided sample copies of the new marriage forms that have replaced “Groom” and “Bride” with the long-anticipated “Party A” and “Party B” designations. The new gender-neutral appellations are hardly likely to excite most Californians, least of all pro-family advocates. Women aspiring to be “brides” are hardest hit, since they may still be bridesmaids, but never a bride legally – just Party B.
Electronic versions of the OVR directive with links to the new marriage licenses can be obtained here:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/news/Pages/Update05-08.asp...
See related coverage by LifeSiteNews.com:
California Supreme Court Imposes Homosexual 'Marriage' on State
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08051502.html
California Supreme Court Asked to Stay "Gay Marriage" Order until November Public Ballot
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08051602.html
California Mayor "Outraged" at Proposal to Exempt Civil Servants from Gay Marriage for Conscience Reasons
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08052608.html
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