Sunday, May 18, 2008

Ask An Interfaith Rabbi - Mazel tov to the GLBT Community

Rabbi, we are an interfaith same-sex couple. Will you marry us?
Absolutely! In fact, anyone that I performed a ceremony prior to the ruling, just needs to call and make an appointment with me and I will sign the legal paperwork.
Where are you located?
We are located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Have chuppah will travel. We can arrange to meet you wherever you decide to hold your ceremony whether it be at City Hall in San Francisco or at a winery in Napa.
Can same-sex couples marry in California?
Yes. On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that barring same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional. Beginning as soon as June 17, same-sex couples will be able to
marry in California.
Can the court's decision be appealed?
No. The California Supreme Court has the final say in cases brought under the California Constitution, like this case, and there can be no more appeals.
If we're already in a registered domestic partnership in California, do we have to dissolve our domestic partnership before we can marry?
No. The California domestic partnership statutes permit an individual to be both married and in a registered domestic partnership, so long as it is to the same person. In addition, there may be legal protections that are available through domestic partnership but not through marriage.
For example, some states that will not honor marriages of same-sex couples may honor domestic partnerships.
Do you have to be a California resident to marry in California?
No. There is no residency requirement to marry in California.
See our earlier post on obtaining a marriage license in California for links to County Clerks offices.

There may be a November Ballot initiative to ammend the constitution.
For more information see Equality For All