Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and City Clerk Kimberly M. Wells recently joined forces to make sex and gender identification optional on Somerville marriage certificates starting from October 19, according to the City of Somerville.
Mayor Ballantyne made a point to declare, that the whole purpose of marriage licenses are to officially unite two people in love, regardless of their gender identity or expression. The modification of the marriage certification process further embodies the city's values of respect toward its citizens.
The marriage license application form will still possess a field for gender identification, as stipulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Applicants, however, could opt to leave this field empty. Crucially, any information written in this field won't appear in marriage certificates released by Somerville. This decision solidifies Somerville’s place in the forefront of cities promoting inclusivity within the marriage framework.
Notably, the update in Somerville impacts not just newly married couples, but also those who have previously obtained a marriage license. Any individuals wishing to get their current marriage certificate without a gender identifier can contact the City Clerk's office for reissue according to the announcement.
