Bigots.

[unusualmusic_lj_archive]

Couple fight gender-neutral language in wedding license

Last month, Rachel Bird exchanged vows with Gideon Codding in a church wedding in front of family and friends. As far as Bird is concerned, she is a bride.

To the state of California, however, she is either "Party A" or "Party B."

Those are the terms that have replaced "bride" and "groom" on the state's new gender-neutral marriage licenses. And to Bird and Codding, that is unacceptable.
"We are traditionalists – we just want to be called bride and groom," said Bird, 25, who works part time for her father's church. "Those words have been used for generations and now they just changed them."

...

Bird and Codding have refused to complete the new forms, a stand that has already cost them. Because their marriage is not registered with the state, Bird cannot sign up for Codding's medical benefits or legally take his name. They are now exploring their options, she said.

Bird's father, Doug Bird, pastor of Roseville's Abundant Life Fellowship, said he is urging couples not to sign the new marriage forms, and that he is getting some support from congregants and colleagues at local churches.

"I would encourage you to refuse to sign marriage licenses with 'Party A' and 'Party B,' " he wrote in a letter that he sent to them. "If ever there was a time for the people of the United States to stand up and let their voices be heard – this is that time."

...


And Rachel Bird described her position as "personal – not religious."

...

"We just feel that our rights have been violated," she said

I didn't realise that we had the right to oppress other people. I'll keep that in mind, though.

Comments

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

Although I have no idea what is motivating these people, I have to say that 'Party A' and 'Party B' is rather horrifically unromantic.

[unusualmusic.livejournal.com]

I agree that its unromantic. But to go so far as to not sign the documents? And talk crap about their rights being violated?

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

It would be relatively easy, though, to stop these people having a leg to stand on: just make it 'circle here what you prefer: party A/bride/groom' and 'Party B/bride/groom.'

While they may well be utter nutters, it would manage to shut them up.

[unusualmusic.livejournal.com]

Pretty cool idea, actually.

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

Well, they'd probably find something else to complain about if they are nutters, but at least it would mean that if you wanted to be Bride and Bride/Bride and Groom/Groom and Groom rather than Party A and Party B, you could.

[unusualmusic.livejournal.com]

It would be absolute fun to see what they would come up with next!

[kadath.livejournal.com]

It's a civil contract, you fuckers; suck it up and stop comparing your little snit to the actual justified anger of people who were denied the right to do what you're taking for granted! HATE.

I just got my marriage license here in an equal marriage state and I was tickled about "Party A" and "Party B." I wanted to flip a coin to see who got to be "Party A," but the secretary said that they always put the bride as B, and I really didn't want to risk bureaucratic snafus so close to our planned wedding date.

[jennem.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel any better, they probably don't have standing to actually sue.

[unusualmusic.livejournal.com]

That helps. A lot.

[paradox-dragon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw that earlier (through karnythia, I think?) and the whole thing was like living in Opposite Land. Oh, you feel excluded by that language? You can't legalize your relationship to your partner? You're worried about access to insurance? You feel that your rights have been denied to you? And you're . . . straight Christians? And somehow, all of this has led you to conclude that queer people are oppressing you? My head explodes.

[fierywiccanone.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. I think it's about damn time they got to know how it feels to be "excluded". However I don't think it will be quite the same since they are choosing their own exclusion.