Couple Told Changing Their Last Names Not OK If They're Gay-Married

[William769]

When Stephen Hill and Joshua Snyder went to the courthouse to officially hyphenate their last names together, they ended up pulled aside in a room with the magistrate.

The Columbus, Ohio, couple were celebrating their one-year anniversary after having been married in Washington, D.C.

Snyder says "it was kind of humiliating" to expect a name change would be no big deal and have it turn out so differently. "They basically told us to lie. They didn't use the word 'lie,' but they basically said if you use the word 'marriage,' it will get denied."

But Hill refused to lie any longer, having served in the military for two decades under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. And so the couple filed their request to change their last names with marriage clearly labeled as their reason.

http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2012/06/21/couple-told-changing-their-last-names-not-ok-if-theyre-gay

[beyurslf]

1. I don't understand why anyone would care if someone wants to change his name.

The article says all requests to change names are heard before a judge who has to approve it. I assume they mean except for marriages (and maybe divorces). Just seems like a big waste of taxpayer dollars. If someone wants to change his name, let him!

[dsc]

3. to prevent fraud

among other things.

[Occulus]

6. That's why it's not allowed for heterosexuals, either.

Oh, wait.

[MNBrewer]

7. I doubt it

it's to put up yet one more block to recognition of ssm as legitimate. Has nothing whatsoever to do with fraud.

[beyurslf]

9. What kind of fraud?

People can name their kids whatever they want, so why can't I name myself whatever I want? I work i foster care and got a new kiddo today. her name is pronounced Ja-nay. spelled maybe Janae, right? How about Jayne? Does that look like it is said Ja-nay? why can this mom totally misspell her kid's name, but I can't choose my own name?

[dsc]

10. you largely can but you have to go to a judge

to do so legally, so that you don't do so to escape debts you owe, or hide from a prison sentence, or some other nefarious purpose.

[beyurslf]

11. I suppose that is true, and it would show on a background check.

I doubt someone with those intentions writes it down as why they want to change their name. I guess that's what gets me, why do they even have to list why? anyone with ill intent isn't going to say so.

[MADem]

2. Why do you have to provide a frigging reason? That kind of crap is INFURIATING.

It's not the confessional, why are judges so damn nosy about the WHY--so long as you certify you are not doing it for purposes of evading a law, breaking a law, or anything nefarious like that, it's no one's business if you change your name to Jesus H. Christ or Ophelia Upgood.

And why IS it fine for P. Diddy to change his name every five minutes, but a married couple has to go through that kind of nonsense?

Talk about "legislating from the bench." Magistrates need to STFU and stamp the damn forms. Jerks.

The accompanying video to that story is fantastic--good coverage of the issue.

[laconicsax]

4. Just to say, he's been Diddy for seven years now.

That's not exactly every five minutes, but I suppose it's close enough.

[MADem]

5. It's a long way from Sean Combs of Mount Vernon, NY, though! nt

[Ms. Toad]

8. In Ohio - that is legal nonsense.

Any individual can change his or her name to whatever he or she wants (as long as it i snot for purposes of fraud) just be using the new name. It is called a common law name change, and it is every bit as legal in Ohio as a statutory name change via the court system. (References and exemplary legal advice from one county.)

That is not to say a court would not hassle them about it, or decline to tell them about their common law rights...just that the court was wrong. Courts are frequently wrong when people try to exercise their rights in a way that is different from the nice tidy way the court expects.