Party A Hearts Party B
by tristero
My dear friends, here is the next lipsticked pig, maybe even the next War on Christmas!
As PZ explains, "The state of California now issues gender-neutral marriage licenses: they simply register the legal relationship of "Party A" and "Party B", where the relevant individuals fill out their actual names."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."
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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.
And now they have gained the teeniest glimmer what it's like to have your right to marry denied. But there's one difference. Bird and Codding chose not to marry. In most states, if you wish to marry someone of your own gender, you do not have a choice. You are prevented from marrying.
Still, they do have a point. "Party A" and "Party B" is a tad clinical. Therefore I suggest the marriage license form require couples to use their pet names for each other. I, THE UNDERSIGNED"SNOOKUMS-SWEETY" AND I, THE UNDERSIGNED "CUDDLY-PIE-HONEY-BUNCH-SCOOCHY-SCOOCHY-EEK!" DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT THE FOREGOING INFORMATION IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF. WE FURTHER DECLARE THAT NO LEGAL OBJECTION TO THE MARRIAGE NOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF A LICENSE IS KNOWN TO US. WE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FAMILY CODE SECTION 358 AND HEREBY APPLY FOR A LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.
There now. That's so much more romantic and personal, don't you think?