ABOUT GETTING MARRIED!!
The wonderful news of May 15, 2008 that the California Supreme Court had finally legalized same-gender marriage is exciting for thousands of us. We are anxious to gain the legal protections and social standing of genuine legal marriage.
Can we get married in church? Yes!!
There are pastors and congregations in Los Angeles that will welcome you and are ready to help you plan your wedding day!
We especially recommend that if you are serious about the obligations and privileges of a legal marriage, consider applying for your California Marriage License as soon after June 15 as possible. See "Licensing Information" at the bottom of this page.
- Feel free to contact Lutherans Concerned for full information about legal marriage and a church wedding: marryme@lutheranslove.org
- You may also directly contact one of these churches in your area, whose pastors have already agreed to (and are happy to) perform same-sex weddings:
Altadena: Pastor Ken Dahlstrom, Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, (626) 794-7011
Canoga Park: Pastor Wayne Christiansen, Faith Lutheran Church, (818) 348-4269
Glendale/Burbank: Pastor Keith Banwart, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, (818) 842-3138
Hollywood: Pastor Dan Hooper, Hollywood Lutheran Church, (323) 667-1212. Also see our wedding web site, www.hollywoodwedding.org.
Hollywood: Pastor Mark Rasbach, Hope Lutheran Church, Hollywood, (323) 938-9135
Los Angeles: Pastor Carlos Paiva, Angelica Lutheran Church, (213) 382-6378
Manhattan Beach: Pastor Luther Martell, Trinity Lutheran Church, (310) 374-4380
North Hollywood: Pastor Sue Devol, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, (818) 762-2909
Santa Monica: Pastor James Boline, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, (310) 451-1346
Licensing Information:
Same-gender licenses became available beginning June 17, 2008 at any County Clerk's office in California. In Los Angeles County, tere are numerous locations.
A general statement from the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder's Office can be found here. (Current marriage licensing services information can be found here). The (opposite sex) application, for example, requires some personal information, disclosure of prior legal marriages, and identification/proof of age.
Requirements and provisions did not change when the County began offering licenses to same-sex couples. For example, there are eight (8) locations in Los Angeles County where licenses may be obtained, or an application can be filled out on line. The cost for the license is $70.00. The cost for a civil ceremony is $25.00. Obtaining the license and having a civil ceremony on the same day may not be possible in some county office locations.
But many clergy are willing to perform religious ceremonies, and many churches are opening their doors! A civil ceremony is not required if you are planning to have a religious ceremony. Clergy are automatically authorized to conduct a wedding ceremony, and will sign and return the license to the County for recording.
If you live in Los Angeles County, you do not have to apply for a license in Los Angeles County or solemnize your marriage here. You may go to any county office in any county for your license..
If you are already in a Domestic Partnership registered with the State of California, you should not terminate this partnership in order to be married (if to the same person). Marriage confers different rights than Domestic Partnership, and has different obligations. To apply for your wedding license, you must bring your documentation registering your Domestic Partnership, to prove that you are not attempting to marry someone other than your domestic partner!
If you were married at San Francisco City Hall in 2004, those marriages were not reinstated by the Supreme Court's action. You would need to apply for a new license and marry again!
More Information:
Equality California offers some useful "Q & A" on same-sex marriage. (This information is likely to be updated frequently before June 15, 2008.)
You may also be interested in the full Supreme Court decision. It is an eloquent and thoroughly-reasoned presentation ot the justice issues involved in extending the right to a legal marriage to same-sex couples.
Please support all efforts to defeat Proposition 8 on the November general election ballot. No only does it harm the LGBT community, it is bad law. Genuine marriage needs no props!