Anyone wishing to make an affirmation of love and commitment to a person of the same gender is offered little by the church. Although the state now offers civil partnership ceremonies, these suffer from the same restrictions as state wedding ceremonies. Humanists believe that, as human beings, we have the inherent desire and power to grow, to create, to love and to direct our own lives. We respect and celebrate long term partnerships as a way to achieve that. For Humanists, then, relationships between same sex couples present no moral or practical dilemma. indeed, many Humanists have been at the forefront of the fight for gay rights. The Pink Triangle Trust is a charitable trust which has been set up to advance the education of the public, and particularly of lesbians and gay men, in the principles and practice of humanism, and to advance the education of the public, and particularly of Humanists, about all aspects of homosexuality.
As Humanists, we believe that, when two people are united in what is to be a lasting relationship, it is neither the law nor the gender that really matters. It is not the law that creates strong, happy and enduring relationships. An partnership ceremony, then, is one which reflects the self awareness and integrity of the couple. It is a way in which you can celebrate your relationship and commitment to each other with simplicity, beauty and dignity, without shame or embarrassment, and openly and formally, before your friends and family. A Humanist partnership ceremony is a personal and genuine ceremony, individually written especially for you, and, as such, a joyful and meaningful celebration of commitment. It makes your day a day to remember for all the best reasons!
You can hold your ceremony anywhere you wish and many of our partnership ceremonies are conducted in a place that has significance for the couple. The westcountry is blessed with thousands of beautiful locations and couples who live in cities are increasingly choosing to marry here. Our celebrants have experience of many venues and may be able to advise you about the suitability of a number of different choices.
It is possible, of course, to conduct your ceremony outside if that is attractive or important to you. If you wish to commit to each other on a beach, on a clifftop, on the moors, in a garden, on a boat or even in a balloon, then we can help make that possible for you. What you want to say and do in your partnership ceremony is of paramount importance and in this way the ceremony has sincerity and relevance. However, our ceremonies are co-created, often over several months, between the couple and the celebrant - who will write and conduct the ceremony - so you are never alone in your preparations.
All our celebrants are highly trained; they have a wealth of ideas and can give you sound advice about music, poetry and readings, symbolic acts and the structure of your affirmation ceremony. In addition, the BHA publish an excellent booklet called, ‘Sharing the Future’ which can inspire you with wording for your ceremony, especially for the vows, and which has a section on gay affirmations.
A Humanist celebrant will be happy to use material drawn from a wide range of different sources and cultural backgrounds but our ceremonies are always essentially non-religious. However, your celebrant will understand that your guests are likely to hold certain religious beliefs and will aim to acknowledge that and be inclusive. as such, a Humanist ceremony can be an ideal affirmation for a couple from different cultural or religious origins. As your day approaches, you can meet with your celebrant for a rehearsal to ensure that the ceremony runs smoothly.
All in all, a Humanist partnership ceremony will be the ceremony that you want. beautiful? .... formal? .... romantic? .... simple? your celebration, your choices.
If you need further information, please contact any of the celebrants listed on the celebrants page or contact the Administrator
