Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Evangelical pastor: Straight couples should refuse to sign Calif. licenses
09.16.2008 2:57pm EDT
(Sacramento, California) An evangelical pastor is advising couples not to sign California’s gender-neutral marriage licenses as a protest.
After the California Supreme Court struck down the ban on gay marriage in May, the state amended its marriage licenses, replacing “Bride” and ‘Groom” with “Party A” and “Party B.”Following a wedding, the license must be signed and sent to the state for registration.
The Sacramento Bee reports that the first couple to follow the advice of Pastor Doug Bird of the Abundant Life Fellowship is Bird’s own daughter.
Rachel Bird married Gideon Codding last month, but they have not signed the license nor sent it in to be registered.
Rev. Bird has called on other churches to follow hid daughter’s lead.
“I would encourage you to refuse to sign marriage licenses with ‘Party A’ and ‘Party B,’” Bird said in a letter to area churches. “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.”
Bird tells The Bee that he has received positive reactions from other clergy. A state spokesperson told the paper that as far as he knows, no other married couple has refused to sign their license.
Unless a marriage is registered, partners are unable to take advantage of rights accorded to married couples – including a bride taking her husband’s name.
In the case of Bird and Codding, Rachel Bird is unable to be added to Codding’s medical benefits.
Bird told The Bee that the decision not to register their marriage was “personal – not religious.”
“We just feel that our rights have been violated,” she said.
She also said she and Codding are exploring their legal options.
A proposed amendment to the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage will appear on the ballot in November. Recent polls suggest it will not win approval.
So its better that his daughter live in sin? What a load of ca-ca! Although doesn’t “person A” and “person B” just make you warm and fuzzy all over.
Those who prattle so much about the importance of marriage would destroy it rather then support equality for gay people. Total hating hypocrites best describes them.
But lets remember, that some number of United Churches of Christ, and I think another denomination’s pastors are refusing to be the witness for the civil portion of a str8 marriage ceremony in their church, until gays can get married also. That is bravery and doing the work of God.
Their protest makes as much sense as someone who trashes their own neighborhood in a riot.
Here’s an “option”, go to Nevada and get married by Elvis.
Wow! Unable to come up with a substantive reply to the question of who is hurt by allowing gay marriage (and how they are hurt), these folks have decided to hurt themselves, and then blame it on . . . California? gays? God? I’m confused here . . . who’s hurting them? How?
Are these people not aware that screwing with the STATE only ends up with being screwed by the State. What a couple of idiots to go through the hoopla of a wedding and then not sign their marriage licenses and not be recognized as legally married. Seems that possibly Mr. Bird’s daughter is really a bird-brain.
Fine. If they don’t want to be LEGALLY married, then by all means don’t sign the license and send it in. Then let them get a taste of what happened to GAY people who COULDN’T marry.
Bud Clark
San Diego CA USA
Rachel Bird is an idiot for claiming that “our rights have been violated.” How?
They were allowed to marry. If they don’t want to sign their marriage license then that’s on them. No rights have been violated. What a moron!
I think the next step these fools should take is that they nail eachother to wooden crosses and erect them on the Hollywood Hills! They could rename the area the HolyWood Hills! Just a thought.
What a great idea! Then their marriages will be as valid as a gay and lesbian marriage. I guess they can’t help themselves; in their hearts they want to be just like us.
I encourage these Evangelical types to not sign their licenses. Let them see first hand what gay folk have had to experience for years. Let them see exactly what we have been speaking of for years when they are not recognized as an “actual” married couple. This could be more educational than they could ever imagine.
Thank you Chris! Couldn’t have said it better myself!
Thanks for sharing this story, telling us about the Birds and the Bee! (snicker)
This is outstanding! Now the Evangelicals will be able to experience first-hand for themselves what it’s like to be in our shoes! Maybe now they will grasp the difference between the sacrament of marriage and the civil contract that is a marriage license! Maybe this will change some hearts and minds!
Yeah, I know, fat chance. But I can dream, can’t I?
Wait until they get busted for fraud when one of them puts the other on his/her health benefits as “married” even though they are not, or when they file their taxes jointly. Or, heaven forbid, one of them should die and the other gets absolutely nothing.
Your rights were violated? Give me a break, lady!!
Brad said: “It’s amazing how these people think.”
I’m even more amazed at how they don’t think.