After Gay Ruling, Calif. Scrambles to Fix Paperwork

Current marriage licenses provide only for 'bride' and 'groom'

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2008 6:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – The recent California Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriages has spawned a persnickety problem: what to do about current forms mentioning the "bride and groom" four times and prohibiting “alterations.” While one official assured the AP of “compliance with the court order,” an activist was less perturbed: “the t's crossed and i's dotted on the form are the least of our concerns.”

A conservative opponent of the measure urged separate forms for homosexual and heterosexual marriages. "If the definition is seen to be so fluid, where do you stop?" he said. "Why is it wrong for two men and a woman to get married? I don't want to see the top of THAT wedding cake."

Jennifer Pizer, right and her partner Doreena Wong cut a wedding cake during a street celebration of the ruling. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

Lesbian couple Robin Tyler, left, and Diane Olson, pose for a photo at the law office of their attorney. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Portia de Rossi, left, and Ellen DeGeneres plan to wed. (AP Photo/Chris Weeks, FILE)

A United Methodist Church priest attends a street celebration of the California Supreme Court ruling that gay couples in the nation's biggest state can marry. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)

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After Gay Ruling, Calif. Scrambles to Fix Paperwork

Current marriage licenses provide only for 'bride' and 'groom'

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After Gay Ruling, Calif. Scrambles to Fix Paperwork

Current marriage licenses provide only for 'bride' and 'groom'

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

California • gay marriage • brides • California Supreme Court • marriage license • grooms • legal document

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

'Poster Couple' for Gay Marriage Divorcing

Robin Tyler and Diane Olson married in California in 2008

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not

Prop 8 ruling is limited to California, providing a potential reason to skip

Court Blocks California's Ban on Gay Marriage

Declares Prop 8 unconstitutional, paving way for Supreme Court decision

Gay Marriage Opponents Fail in California Court Bid

Gay judge didn't need to recuse himself on Prop 8, says ruling

Key Ruling Due Today on Calif. Gay Marriage Ban

Judge to rule on gay colleague's decision striking down Prop. 8

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