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A job that changed me: After years of being a marriage celebrant, I became uneasy with the institution
My favourite part was sitting with couples, talking about their lives and why they wanted to marry. But I’m equally happy to have left it behind
TL;DR
- The author became a professional civil marriage celebrant in their mid-20s after a career-ending injury in Auslan interpreting.
- The role involved legal requirements, stagecraft, public speaking, and creating personal ceremonies based on couples' stories.
- The author participated in activism for marriage equality, initially bristling at the term 'gay marriage'.
- Over time, the author became uneasy with the institution of marriage due to observing numerous cases of intimate partner violence among couples.
- The author decided to leave celebrancy due to irreconcilable values regarding safety and autonomy, coupled with a developing writing career and personal changes.
- The author expresses gratitude for the experience but is happy to have left the profession, finding fulfillment in their own life and relationships.