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Gay dads set to sue over church same-sex marriage opt-out – Essex Chronicle

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BARRIE Drewitt-Barlow, one half of the county’s most recognised gay dads, has praised the Queen’s ratification of gay marriage but said it is “bitter sweet” as Christian churches still opt against the ceremony.

Britain finally legalised gay marriage when the Queen gave her royal stamp of approval on July 17 after the bill was introduced in January.

“It is like someone giving me a sweetie with the wrapper on and telling me to suck it,” said father-of-five, Barrie, 42, from Maldon, who had a civil partnership with partner Tony, in 2006

“I [Barrie] want to go into my church and marry my husband [Tony]….. We have a civil partnership, me and my husband Tony … The only way forward for us now is to make a challenge in the courts against the church.” said Barrie Drewitt-Barlow.

For full story by Sophia Charalambous, Friday, August 02, 2013

See: http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Gay-dads-set-sue-church-sex-marriage-opt/story-19597954-detail/story.html

Gay dads to sue Church [of England] for right to religious wedding – GSN

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Britain’s most famous surrogate gay dads have hired lawyers to sue the Church of England for the right to a full-blown religious wedding.

Speaking to the Essex Chronicle, which broke the story, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 42, that being given the right to marriage but not in the Church of England, was ‘like someone giving me a sweetie with the wrapper on and telling me to suck it’. –

…the Drewitt-Barlows say they have hired lawyers and are pressing ahead –

The couple already had a civil partnership, giving them similar rights to married heterosexuals, in 2006. They became Britain’s first gay surrogate parents in 1999. –

See full story at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-dads-sue-church-right-religious-wedding020813#sthash.HF1qviHk.dpuf

Report dated 02 August 2013 by Tris Reid-Smith GayStarNews

Church of England to be Sued for Refusing to Perform Same-Sex Marriages, Just a Month After PM Promised Protection

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A gay couple in Great Britain has announced plans to pursue legal action against the Church of England for refusing to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, less than one month after the country officially legalized gay marriage, but explicitly excluded the Church from being forced to conduct the ceremonies as they go against biblical teachings.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow and his partner, Tony, have been considered by many in Great Britain to be the “poster couple” for same-sex marriage legalization, as they became the first gay parents in 1999 through surrogacy, and have since had five other children through surrogacy. The couple had a civil partnership ceremony in 2006, and own a surrogate center in Chandlers Quay, Maldon.

The gay marriage legislation approved in Great Britain earlier this year, known as the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, included a “quadruple lock” meant to protect the Church of England and other religious institutions from being forced to perform same-sex marriages against their faith. Under the current law, churches may “opt-in” to perform same-sex marriages, but they cannot be forced to conduct ceremonies.

Despite that highly-publicized safeguard being included in the legislation, many critics believed that gay activists would ignore that exclusion and continue to push for churches to be forced to participate in gay marriage ceremonies against their will. Now just weeks after the legislation was passed, it appears those fears were well-founded; Drewitt-Barlow and his partner argue that they wish to “test” this protection in court. The couple have claimed that they are practicing Christians and they want their children to see them wed in a church ceremony.

Read more at http://global.christianpost.com/news/church-of-england-to-be-sued-for-refusing-to-perform-same-sex-marriages-just-a-month-after-prime-minister-promised-protection-101487/#PigwvlY2lySIywiD.99

Marriage Ceremony leading to “legal wife/husband”- DIA explanation and definitions

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Marriage Ceremony

There are two types of marriage ceremony:

  • [“A marriage is the formalisation of a relationship between a man and a woman, in accordance with the Marriage Act 1955” – DIA]. A ceremony solemnised by a Registrar of Marriages in a Registry Office. Registry Office ceremonies are not open to the public; and
  • A ceremony solemnised by an authorised Marriage Celebrant at a place other than a Registry Office. There is no legal requirement that a ceremony before a marriage celebrant be open to the public.

Registry Office ceremonies take place during normal office hours, but you can have a marriage celebrant perform your marriage ceremony at any time, on any day of the week.
During the ceremony before a marriage celebrant, and before at least two witnesses, each party must say the words “I AB, take you CD, to be my legal wife/husband” or words to similar effect.
If having a Registry Office ceremony before a Registrar of Marriages, and before at least two witnesses, each party must say the words “I AB, take you CD, to be my legal wife/husband”. Please be aware if you are considering having a Registry Office ceremony, that they are standardised to meet the legislative requirements of getting married, which includes standard marriage vows.

Sourced 5 August 2013

http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marriages-How-to-Get-a-Marriage-Licence#one

Registry Office Ceremony Marriage Vows

Following the Declaration of the Vows ….

The Registrar will then ensure the following details on the Copy of Particulars of Marriage
are completed:

Bride [female] and Groom [male] signatures.
The Registrar of Marriages will print their name and sign.

http://www.dia.govt.nz/Pubforms.nsf/URL/RegistryOfficeCeremonyMarriageVows.pdf/$file/RegistryOfficeCeremonyMarriageVows.pdf

What is Marriage? – The Department of Internal Affairs provides clarity

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What is a Marriage?

A marriage is the formalisation of a relationship between a man and a woman, in accordance with the Marriage Act 1955. The Marriage Act 1955 provides the criteria, rules and processes for two people to have their relationship solemnised as a marriage (by way of a formal ceremony) and officially registered in New Zealand.

Anybody can marry in New Zealand, as long as they are legally free to marry. Under New Zealand law this means that:

  • A marriage may only be entered into by couples of opposite sexes.
  • They are not already married or in a civil union with a person other than the person they will be marrying (or if they have been married, the marriage has been dissolved by a court of law).
  • They are old enough (16 or over, although parental consent is required if either party is 16 or 17 years old).
  • They are not closely related by blood, marriage, civil union or adoption. Details of these “prohibited” marriages appear on the form ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’, which is used to apply for a marriage licence.

If you do not live in New Zealand, you should check with the authorities in the place where you normally live to see if there are any special steps you must take or rules that apply when you marry in New Zealand.
Marriages registered in other countries will generally be recognised as marriages in New Zealand. Note, same-sex couples may not be married in New Zealand.

Sourced on 5 August 2013

http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marriages-How-to-Get-a-Marriage-Licence#one

Marriage Act 1955: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1955/0092/latest/whole.html