Civil Union Celebrant

[Nicky]

I'm going to become a civil union celebrant (equivalent to marriage in my country, except it is open to gay couples too). Hopefully I get accepted. I might apply to be a marriage celebrant too.

One of my friends is engaged and I volunteered to be their celebrant. I'm really thrilled to be part of their event (I also volunteered to be grooms lady or best ->-bleeped-<-).

I feel like it is a very mature 'androgyne' thing to do - to preside over events such as these. I also think the queer community will benefit from having a trans celebrant.

[LordKAT]

Sounds good Nicky. not that I will ever need those type services again but I'm sure there are many who will. Somehow androgyne celebrant sounds right.

[Shana]

Great for you Nicky!!!

And congrats to the happy couple...

[Bombi]

Hey Nicky,Things are different in your country. I'm in a territory of the US and as a minister of the church of spiritual humanism I can and have married (or unionize ) anyone as long as they are human and alive.

[Nicky]

Hey Nicky,Things are different in your country. I'm in a territory of the US and as a minister of the church of spiritual humanism I can and have married (or unionize ) anyone as long as they are human and alive.

Ah, you mean things are different in your country 

I thought gay marriage was not allowed in most places in the US?

[Bombi]

Nicky you are correct. Only @ 25% of the US States permit same sex marriage or civil unions however I have performed services for couples who desire a spiritual connection. It's not legally binding but similar benefits can be realized through legal channels.
The service I do talks of love, commitment and respect and of the spiritual and humanistic bonds that are above the jurisdiction of any government. I have a long conversation with each participant so I get to know them as much as possible, then base the service on how they perceive their future. I rarely mention god unless specifically asked to include references to the deity which they embrace. I stress that spirituality supersedes laws of the state.

[LightlyLuke]

Way to go, Nicky. Is a celebrant an "official" position that needs to be applied for?

Bombi, the services you perform sound wonderfully heartful.

-- Luke

[Nicky]

yup, it is an "official" position - you officiate the legal side of it. To apply I need some backround checks, written references and I need to demonstrate that I will be of benefit to a particular community having me as a celebrant. Does not cost anything to apply but then you don't make any money (though I know most celebrants seem to have a 'fee' to cover costs).

I'm going to apply early next year after I get a name change. While I may not get accepted I think I have a pretty good chance.

[Kinkly]

if it's not too much to ask what are you changeing your name to? the fem or androgynous version of Nicky or something else?

[Nicky]

Legally I am Nicholas Henry ......

But I want to change it to Nicki Alina ....

People keep telling me to go with Nikki but it looks too harsh too me - besides, it is the strippers version of Nicki