Before God All People Are Equal

Three cheers for the Baptists of North Carolina who have refused to conduct any more marriages in their church until gay couples can wed.

"The church feels that the state of North Carolina is discriminating against gay couples by 'denying them the rights and privileges enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.’ The Church released a statement which said ‘As people of faith, affirming the Christian teaching that before God all people are equal, we will no longer participate in this discrimination.’"

NC Church will not conduct marriages until gay couples can wed

Certified or Certifiable?

I am in the process of becoming a Certified Bridal Consultant even though I plan on planning many a bride-less wedding. The class is taught for planning straight weddings and I get to look at great pictures like the one posted here (but really, aren't those two men?). It will be interesting to see what I end up applying in my new career, but I want to be educated in proper etiquette and tradition even if I don't end up using all of it. As I study, I keep thinking about the criticism of gay marriage, the claim that it is a moral issue and that it will have a negative impact on our society. It has been illuminating to discover the history behind some the traditions that need to be protected so the gays don't taint them. Here are a few...

• Brides started wearing white when Queen Victoria, who wore white at her wedding, married Albert, her COUSIN! (I'm sure some of you may have other Prince Albert stories to share but that is for another time.)
• Grooms had ushers to help defend against anyone who tried to stop him from KIDNAPPING and carrying off his bride!
• A Honeymoon was called a Honeymoon because after a man KIDNAPPED his wife, he took her someplace far away for a month (or a moon) so no one would find her. How romantic!

I am sure I will have more to share as the course progresses and will let you know which happens first, getting certified or becoming certifiable.