15 Oct 2014

Gay Marriage Is Now Legal In North Carolina

As a former Air Force meteorologist, I forecasted gay marriage equality in North Carolina to be decades away, perhaps beyond my years of offering intimate weddings here.

I have never been so happy to be so wrong in a forecast.

Last Friday, the last court to stand in the way of marriage equality in this state stated that the amendment to our constitution that banned it was unconstitutional, making marriage for all couples legal.  I, unfortunately, was very busy this weekend, otherwise I would have stood on our Registrar’s front steps and married anyone who came by.  But I celebrated with everyone in excitement that we are no longer a marriage inequality state.

While this is a major shift in how our culture is seeing equality, there is actually very little difference in how things are being run here.  I have never discriminated against gay marriage, and I never will.  I don’t discriminate based on anything: race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, income level, your shirt color, how you do your hair…  I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care.  I celebrate love, and love doesn’t discriminate.

There are, however, a few changes to the website I will have to make.  I don’t feel as bad because our Registrars are having to also make the same changes.  Since gay marriage is now legal, all of our forms are out of date.  My contact form currently says “Bride’s Name” and “Groom’s Name.”  This is now outdated as we can have two grooms, two brides, or still a bride and a groom.  If you have a suggestion of how I can change it, drop me a line!

Gay Marriage: What Do You Need To Know

The process is now the same for everyone.  Contact your local North Carolina Register of Deeds or fill out the online form for the local Buncombe County Register of Deeds so all you’ll need to do is drive by and pick it up.  You’ll need to bring a few pieces of identification with you to the Registrar: a valid photo ID and a social security card.  Bring that license with you on your wedding day, and I will fill it out and file it for you.  You will receive your official copy within 7-10 days.  I will perform your ceremony just as you like it, and I will pronounce you forever bound in love.  That’s not just gay marriage: that’s marriage for everyone!