574 "News" Category Articles Page 15

Learn about Senate Bill 488, which would end recognition of common law marriage in Montana if signed into law. The measure was passed by the state Senate in March, and is scheduled for a second reading in the House this week, April 12th. (2023 MT SB488 / Senate Bill 488 / Sen. Daniel Zolnikov)

Learn about the recent changes to West Virginia's minimum age requirements for marriage, effective June 2023. Children under the age of 16 years old are no longer allowed to marry in WV, without exceptions. Underage marriages for children between the ages of 16 and 18 are allowed if their partner is no more than 4 years older and certain other conditions are met.

Learn about legislation introduced in South Carolina that would add the gendered terms 'bride' and 'groom' to the state's 'license and certificate of marriage,' and the potential impact on same-sex, same-gender, and other LGBTQ+ couples there. (Sen. Gambrell; SB332 / Senate Bill 332)

Proposed drag bans like the one in Tennessee impact LGBTQ+ weddings, ministers and wedding officiants, and the entire queer community. Drag performers belong at weddings! Learn ways to protect LGBTQ+ ministers and wedding performers. (TN SB0003 ; U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker)

Learn about Clela Rorex, the Boulder County Clerk who became a hero to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies when she issued a marriage license to a gay couple in 1975 in Colorado, and two resolutions introduced in the US House and Senate to honor her with a holiday, 'Clela Rorex Day.' (HR 248 / SR 118 ; same-sex marriage; marriage equality)

The Anonymous Officiant #3 : This groom started to cry moment's before the wedding ceremony because he missed his mother, but a sweet gesture by a quick thinking wedding officiant helped dry his tears just in time. Read the full story in this installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and officiants: The Anonymous Officiant.

Is the average age of marriage in the U.S. going up or down? Learn about recent trends that affect how old most men and women are when they get married, and why outside factors like education, the economy, pandemics, and shifts in spiritual or religious views can play a bigger part in when a couple decides to marry than you might think.

Have you been told by a clerk or registrar that you can’t officiate a North Carolina wedding because you were ordained online? We want to hear from you! Here are the facts: Ministers ordained online through American Marriage Ministries can legally serve as wedding officiants and solemnize marriage anywhere in NC.

Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that Israeli couples are allowed to marry using Utah County’s online marriage services, and that these civil marriages must be legally recognized. Learn more about the ruling and how to get married online via Utah County’s remote marriage portal.

Learn how HB878 and 2019’s paused anti-online ordination law work together in an ongoing attack against marriage equality in Tennessee. These bills would allow a person to refuse to solemnize (conduct) a marriage they object to based on their ‘conscience or religious beliefs,’ and make it illegal for an officiant ordained online to perform marriage. If passed, it will be easier for clerks and officiants to discriminate against same-sex, LGBTQ+, interfaith, and interracial couples in TN. (House Bill 878 / 2023 ; HB0213 / 2019)

The Anonymous Officiant #2 : This beautiful Florida beach wedding almost didn't happen, when the wedding officiant arrived to find the groom missing... and gone fishing! Read the full story about these fly-fishing lovers in this funny installment of American Marriage Ministries’ new candid column about real weddings and officiants: The Anonymous Officiant.

Town and City Clerks in New York will soon be able to issue a one-day marriage officiant permit to anyone wanting to perform a single wedding ceremony in the state. Learn more about how to apply, how much a one-day officiant license costs, and more. (NY A02901 / S02234 ; 2023)

A bill to ban underage marriages in West Virginia was thought to have died in committee following a 9-8 vote to reject on Wednesday, but was revived for a second reading in the Senate on Thursday night. Learn about HB3018, which would raise the minimum age to marry in WV to 18 years old, with no exceptions for minors. (Del. Kayla Young; Sen. Charles Trump; House Bill 3018 ; 2023)

Learn what HB878 might mean for the future of marriage equality in Tennessee. The bill, which recently passed the House, would allow a person to refuse to solemnize (conduct) a marriage they object to based on their ‘conscience or religious beliefs.’ Opponents believe the bill would make it easier for clerks and officiants to discriminate against same-sex, LGBTQ+, interfaith, and interracial couples in TN. (House Bill 878 / 2023)

Ahoy, mateys! This unique pirate wedding script is fun from bow to stern, and from the officiant’s welcome speech to the pronouncement and first kiss. Filled with nautical imagery and seafaring slang, plus a special reading of Ben Harper's 'Gold to Me', a traditional hand blessing ceremony, and a rum unity toast. So gather your shipmates and say 'aye!' to love. This funny and heartwarming ceremony is written by professional officiant and ordained AMM Minister Sherri Crawford.