I don't thee wed
Coast celebrant opts out of performing same-sex marriages
A PROMINENT Gold Coast marriage celebrant has changed his status to avoid having to perform same-sex weddings.
Elanora celebrant Peter Blades of Fullife Celebrations has switched his registration from “civil” to “religious” marriage celebrant.
The marriage equality Bill passed by federal Parliament in December allows celebrants to make the change if same-sex marriage conflicts with their religious beliefs.
“Personally for myself I have Christian beliefs,” Mr Blades said.
“I voted no. As a Christian, I believe what the Bible says and I didn’t believe it should be changed.
“It’s always been tradition through cultures that marriage is between a man and a woman. I quite strongly uphold that view.”
Mr Blades added he didn’t understand why marriage needed to be redefined, saying gay couples he had met were not “hellbent” on using the word marriage and a “civil partnership” was sufficient.
However Anthony Ikin of Ikin Dance Studio said using the word “marriage” was important to same-sex couples because it was a sign of equality.
“That's equality at its core,” he said.
“Marriage is such a beautiful thing. It was never just about getting married ... it’s about acceptance.”
Mr Ikin said he felt more accepted within the community once the Bill had been passed because the majority of the country was behind it.
He will marry his partner Pete Cunningham in New Zealand on May 18 this year.
Mr Blades said he was never comfortable with the idea of gay marriage.
“I’ve tried to be as open as possible,” he said, adding he referred gay couples on to other celebrants.
“It’s not discriminatory, I believe as an individual I have got the right to have my views and not to be bullied (for them). I don’t believe I’m a bigoted person.”
In order for Mr Blades to become a religious marriage celebrant he was required to submit a written application to the marriage registrar.
All current civil marriage celebrants can apply to become a religious marriage celebrant until March 9.
After this date civil celebrants will not be able to register as a religious marriage celebrant.
In a written statement to the Gold Coast Bulletin, the Attorney-General’s Department said: “A religious marriage celebrant may refuse to solemnise a marriage if the celebrant’s religious beliefs do not allow the celebrant to solemnise the marriage.
“On 8 December 2017, emails were sent to marriage celebrants to advise of the changes to the Marriage Act, including information about the new religious marriage celebrant subcategory.”
Celebrants who refuse to marry same-sex couples and have become religious marriage celebrants are required to openly advertise as such.
I HAVE GOT THE RIGHT TO HAVE MY VIEWS AND NOT TO BE BULLIED (FOR THEM). I DON’T BELIEVE I’M A BIGOTED PERSON. PETER BLADES