Source: Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News
The California Department of Public Health announced Monday that it is changing the state's marriage license form -- again.
State officials changed the forms after the May state Supreme Court ruling that legalized same sex marriage. After that ruling, courts mandated state paperwork to use gender neutral language. State officials dropped the terms "bride" and "groom" and replaced them with the word "Party A" and "Party B."
"Following the Supreme Court decision in May, we moved quickly to make that change to be consistent with the ruling,'' said Suanne Buggy, spokeswoman for the California Department of Public Health, which oversees marriage licenses.
But some Californians, even those who support the right of gays to marry, thought "Party A, Party B'' sounded too cold, too bureaucratic.
"We've been hearing from a lot of average Californians that they would like to have the bride-groom option,'' Buggy said.
The new forms, set to go into effect Nov. 17, give couples the option of identifying themselves as bride and groom.
Couples can also choose to identify themselves as bride and bride or groom and groom, or choose to be known only as "first person'' and "second person.'' Or they can leave the space blank.
Of course, if Proposition 8 is approved by voters, the state may need to change the forms again.
Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder Regina Alcomendras said Monday that she's heard few complaints from people obtaining marriage licenses since the gender-neutral form took effect. But Alcomendras said county clerks in rural counties have received a lot more flak, San Jose Mercury News reports.
One couple filed a lawsuit demanding to be allowed to identify themselves as bride and groom.
Roseville residents Rachel Bird and Gideon Codding, who refused to sign the new forms and sued the state, said they were relieved by the changes.
"We are just so thankful," said Codding.
The vital statistics office's Suanne Buggy denied that that changes are in response to the couple's lawsuit which was filed last week. She said the new language had been discussed for some time.
"These options are consistent with court rulings," said Buggy.
Source: Gay marriages in California surpass those in Massachusetts | Los Angeles Times
State will change marriage licenses to say 'bride' and 'groom' | Sacramento Bee
'Bride' and 'groom' being restored to California marriage forms | San Jose Mercury News
hattip: To Form a More Perfect Union
Last modified: 6 Oct 08 10:10
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