Hi Alison,

 

I've discussed the wording with Rosemary this afternoon, making reference to the previous such marriages that have taken place in this country.

Unfortunately, as there seems no way around the current wording, and we obviously do want to proceed with our marriage, we will go ahead with the gender-specific wife/husband labels deemed 'appropriate' by the General Register Office.  It is very disappointing for us.

 

Nevertheless, please find attached the final draft.

 

We look forward to seeing you at 3.30pm in two weeks time!

 

Cheers,

Michelle

 

 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Cathcart, Alison

> Sent: 12 December 2000 13:03

> To: 'Michelle Bourke'

> Subject: RE: 2nd draft proposed wording for wedding ceremony 03/01/2001

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> WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

**********************************************************************

 

> Michelle,

> I have referred your enquiry to the Registrar General's office for

> their consideration. As I explained to you earlier the words are 

> legally prescribed in the Marriage Act 1949 Section 44 (3) and the

> word spouse cannot replace the prescribed words wife and husband.

> With regard to switching the words wife and husband, I have been

> advised that it would not be appropriate to refer to a male as a

> 'wife' nor a woman as a 'husband'.

 

> If you have any further queries, please refer to Rosemary Walsh

> at Marriages Section at the General Register Office on

> 0151 471 4429.

>

> Yours sincerely,

>

> Alison Cathcart

> Superintendent Registrar

>

> > ----------

> > From:       Michelle Bourke

> > Sent:       Monday, December 11, 2000 3:56 PM

> > To:      Cathcart, Alison

> > Subject:    2nd draft proposed wording for wedding ceremony 03/01/2001

> >

> > <<File: WeddingDraft2.doc>>

> > Hi Alison,

> >

> > Thanks for letting us know.

> > Please find a 2nd draft attached for your perusal.

> > We'd really love to avoid applying the term 'husband' to Michela.  > > As discussed with the gentleman who took our 'notice of intention > > to marry' details, Michela is transgendered. While she is legally
> > male, thus enabling us to marry, it is personally rather awkward
> > for her to be referred to in male terms.  I however, am
> > perfectly comfortable with it.  Therefore, in the second draft
> > (attached)we have applied the "husband" part of the wording to me
> > and the "wife" part to Michela.  This conforms with the legally
> > prescribed wording.

> > Please let me know if there is any legal reason why the ceremony
> > cannot proceed this way.

> >

> > Cheers,

> > Michelle

> > > -----Original Message-----

> > > From: Cathcart, Alison

> > > Sent: 11 December 2000 14:28

> > > To: 'Michelle Bourke'

> > > Subject: RE: Proposed wording for wedding ceremony 03/01/2001

> > >

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> > > WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL

**********************************************************************

> > >

> > > Michelle,.

> > >

> > > I'm afraid you cannot change the legally prescribed wording, and
> > > you will therefore have to use the words 'wife' and 'husband' -
> > > not spouse as you have suggested.

> > >

> > > Alison Cathcart

> > > Superintendent Registrar

> > > > ----------

> > > > From:       Michelle Bourke

> > > > Sent:       Monday, December 11, 2000 1:33 PM

> > > > To:       acathcart

> > > > Subject:       Proposed wording for wedding ceremony 03/01/2001

> > > >

> > > > <<File: Wedding.doc>>

> > > > Dear Sir/Madam,

> > > >

> > > > Please find attached a Word document with our proposed wording, an amalgamation of the wording from "The Westminster" and "What is Marriage?".

> > > > We have proposed "spouse" for "wife/husband" in the second paragraph in bold.  Is this acceptable?

> > > >

> > > > Please confirm receipt and advise acceptability of this wording by email.

> > > > Please feel free to call me if there is anything else we

> > > > need to discuss.

> > > >

> > > > Many thanks,

> > > > Michelle Bourke

> > > >

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> > > Westminster City Council switchboard:

> > > +44 20 7641 6000

> > > **********************************************************************

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> >