Humanist Society offers free weddings to same-gender couples

The Humanist Society is providing for free wedding services for same-gender military personnel. MAAF and the Society work together closely, with MAAF assisting Society-endorsed lay leaders, celebrants, and chaplains to find recognition within Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs settings. Recently, Captain Ryan Jean officiated a military wedding. And MAAF has reached out to various Veterans hospitals to support atheists and humanists. Hopefully recognition of the life ceremonies we support and encourage will help to open hearts to supporting those with nontheistic beliefs. Whatever the outcome, we can be sure that humanists are ready and able to assist the gays and lesbians in our military who have been discriminated against for so long. While some chaplain endorsers stand firm against gays and lesbians in uniform, chaplains of the Humanist Society will be open and affirming in its support of all military personnel and their families, without discrimination based on sexual orientation.

(Washington, DC – Sept. 10, 2013)—Free weddings services for same-sex couples are now being offered by humanist celebrants for active duty military personnel. This national endeavor is in support of the Jan. 2014 implementation of full spousal rights for same-sex couples in the military.

Scores of humanist celebrants certified by the American Humanist Association’s Humanist Society are waiving their ceremony fee as part of this national effort. A listing of celebrants participating in the program can be found on the Humanist Society’s website.

“Humanist Society celebrants have been performing same-sex marriage ceremonies for decades,” said American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt. “Even before these marriages were legally recognized, humanist celebrants have been a part of commitment ceremonies of all kinds. It is heartening to see that so many of them are willing to wave their ceremony fee to support the ongoing revolutionary change in the U.S. that is now giving all married military personnel the same legal benefits.”

Each celebrant’s participation is voluntary and they will need to be contacted individually. The program begins immediately and will continue until December 31, 2013. Participants will have an American flag icon next to their listing on the Humanist Society website.