Anita Revel is Western Australia’s authorised Marriage Equality Celebrant (aka a Same Sex Marriage Celebrant)…

South West locals and visitors to my blog will be well aware of my support for marriage equality.

So it would come as no surprise then, when the ACT government created the Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Marriage Act 2013, I wasted no time getting registered as a Same Sex Marriage Celebrant.

Meet… MEC0062!

Woo hoo! Let the whole world know that from 4 November 2013, Western Australian gay and lesbian couples can now be legally married by a Marriage Celebrant from their own state.

How is Same Sex Marriage different to “Marriage” defined under the Marriage Act 1961?

Marriage is defined under the Federal Act as “between a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, and voluntarily entered into for life.”

The Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013 has alleviated the discriminatory phrase, “man and woman”, effectively allowing people of the same sex to get married.

The new definition of marriage is:

Under the law, this wedding recognises that you are voluntarily entering into a lawful and binding union, for life, to the exclusion of all others.

This means marriage under Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013 may be entered into by two adults of the same sex who are unable to marry under the Commonwealth Marriage Act 1961.

Can gays get married in Western Australia?

Not yet! (But hang in there – I firmly believe that Marriage Equality at a Federal level is not a matter of if, but when.)

In registering as a Marriage Equality Celebrant, however, I do offer Western Australian gay and lesbian couples the opportunity to be married by a “home town girl”.

The ceremony must take place in the A.C.T., but I’m fine with the travel if it means facilitating the state of marriage for couples who were previously denied this right.

When can I get married?

As per the Marriage Act 1961, you must give one calendar month’s notice by lodging a Notice of Intention to Marry form with me.

Thereafter, the new Act commences on 7 November 2013, so we can legally solemnise your vows anytime after this (+ one calendar month from the time of your notice).

We can organise all your paperwork via Skype/phone/email/snail mail if you are unable to get to Margaret River to meet with me in person.

As an award-winning, full-time Marriage Celebrant, I am accomplished at making your ceremony planning a breeze.

Will my “gay marriage” be recognised in Western Australia?

Until the Marriage Act 1961 is updated to remove the discriminatory phrasing, no, your marriage will not be recognised in any state of Australia.

Regardless of whether you marry in Canberra under the new Act, or in a country which has legalised gay marriage, it will still not be recognised as a “marriage” by the government in Australia.

But, in your heart, you will be married.

You will have stood before witnesses and declared your intent to commit to each other for life. You will have exchanged promises and rings to symbolise your vows and never-ending love. And, you will be able to call your girlfriend your wife, and your boyfriend your husband, when you introduce your beloved in social circles.

I know someone who wants to enter into “gay marriage”…

Share this link with your friends and family to let them know I’m here for them!!

Shine on!
~ Anita Revel CMC and MEC