Gay Marriage at Cedar Point: Please help us!

The park would not be breaking any laws by including same-sex partners in the wedding ceremony.

Gay couples get married every day in Ohio. In churches, on beaches, in parks, etc...

The wedding ceremony, with a priest, or a zombie, or a ship captain is meaningless from a legal standpoint. It's a symbolic ceremony, and that is all. I could "marry you" in my backyard, and it would mean just as much. What many couples don't realize is just how unemotional and sterile getting legally married actually is. You pay a fee, sign the paperwork, and get a license.

Cedar Point could certainly include same-sex partners in this wedding ceremony. The only difference is that the state of Ohio would then choose to legally recognize (at the courthouse) the heterosexual partners by giving them a license, and would then legally discriminate against the same-sex partners by refusing to distribute said licenses.

That said, the park would be making a loud and clear statement about where they stand, and while I would applaud such a choice, I'm not sure if they necessarily have a responsibility to do so.

"Having a wedding" is not the same as "getting legally married". They have nothing to do with each other.

I say have the event to be inclusive, and invite Chick-fil-A to cater it.

This conversation is happening on the coasterbuzz forum also. There seems to be more of a religion vs the state argument going on there. But let me say the same encouraging thing on this board - Martin Luther King Jr said "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." I truly believe that the recent DOMA ruling by the supreme court will lead to marriage equality within the next few years. We don't live in that world yet, and I can understand how Cedar Fair doesn't want any controversy by having a gay couple involved in the mass ceremony before the law catches up to our lives. And as Tony stated, this is a mass WEDDING ceremony, including the LEGAL as well as religious aspects.

OP needs to understand when to stop. He got a whole lot more of a response from CP's PR spokesman than I would have ever expected. Instead, he keeps bitching that it's not enough.

Nobody is stopping you from conducting a commitment ceremony on Cedar Point property. They're just saying that it doesn't fit in with their "13 weddings" promotion.

Not only that, let's also remember that for every person who embraces gay unions, there's roughly one person who would also be upset with the same, if CF endorsed this publicly. Maybe there's a reason they are silent on the issue? Better to appeal to most rather than alienate 50%, one side or the other.

Since Tony is clearly in charge of law making and changing, maybe he can also get something done about Ohio construction zone laws. Seriously, 50 mph on the turnpike? WTH, Tony? Lets fix this! ;-)

Lol...I still went 80 on the turnpike, it was 2300, noone on the turnpike other than me and bugs on the bumper :D

this is a mass WEDDING ceremony, including the LEGAL as well as religious
aspects.

There's nothing legal about any wedding. Weddings are social, symbolic gestures, that can take place in a bathroom stall while praying to rock, if that's your thing.

I appreciate Tony's comments as much as anyone, but the point about it being "against the law" is simply false.

I just attended a same-sex wedding last month. In a church. In Ohio. Was it illegal? No.

It's a cool idea, and I like the fact that CP is planning on wedding packages. The reality is, if you are going into that business in 2013, this is an obstacle you will be constantly running into until the laws change.

I would actually bet this would create more positive PR for the park than negative in this day and age, but I'm no marketing expert.

I just honestly don't see where Cedar Fair (or any corporation for that matter) has the "responsibility" to take a position on any issue that doesn't directly affect the operation of their company.

Agreed. Their "no stance" is currently viewed as the safest one at this point, apparently.

Ok, as a practicing lawyer, I can assure you that due to an amendment to the Ohio Constitution, "marriage" is between one man and one woman. Cedar Fair, Cedar Point and Tony have always gone above and beyond to be tolerant (which is good business, by the way...) But no, no valid gay marriages can be performed in Ohio and Ohio will not recognize those performed elsewhere. I believe Cedar Point's stand on this is as pragmatic as can be. They don't want to offend any paying customers or give them a reason to spend their money elsewhere. (Well, except for "guests of exceptional size", but that's a different post...)

By permitting a public gay marriage in a jurisdiction where they are not permitted CF would clearly be wading into the political fray, thereby insulting many, if not most Ohioans, (myself included BTW) who would be offended to see that kind of endorsement of an alternative lifestyle which is offensive to many, who might then choose not to renew their passes or simply vacation elsewhere. Basically, the Point makes it a priority to be inclusive. They don't want to offend you or me, they'd rather sit on the fence. Again, just good business. Now if the "exceptional size" lobby could start pulling some strings....

While we differ in our views on gay marriage, we agree on the "why" of Cedar Point's stance. (I'm obviously aware that same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in Ohio) And I also agree that CP does an exceptional job of being inclusive.

The park is simply filled with wonderful human beings,and Tony (and others like John H.) is a perfect model for that.

Being gay is not an alternative lifestyle if you ARE gay cptedsdisciple2. Your ignorance and hate are the offensive thing here.

I sometimes wonder if I am browsing Pointbuzz or Reddit. -_-

StLCPfan, please explain how you arrive at the very prejudicial conclusion that cptedsdisciple2 is a person of ignorance and hate?

Sounds like you might be the ignorant/intolerant one here, because he neither said nor demonstrated anything of the sort.

Did we not read the same post, MaverickLaunch? Cptedsdisciple2 wrote "...thereby insulting many, if not most Ohioans, (myself included BTW) who would be offended to see that kind of endorsement of an alternate lifestyle which is offensive to many..."

INSULTING? The way that sentence was worded IS offensive to me.

Regardless, it's now only a matter of time until each discriminatory law around this issue comes crumbling down. That doesn't help anyone in the present if one lives in Ohio, but it's the one shining light that hangs out there.

"...thereby insulting many, if not most Ohioans, (myself included BTW) who would be offended to see that kind of endorsement of an alternate lifestyle which is offensive to many..."

INSULTING? The way that sentence was worded IS offensive to me.

Not offensive to me.

StLCPfan, there's no need to start something here. cptedsdisciple2 made a fair and valid point and jumping on the hate wagon because of his personal views (whatever they may be) is not the adult way to go. Be the better person here and stick to the topic. This is about the legal aspect of this promotion, not the religious or personal viewpoint of each individual.

I think the conclusion here is that time will change people and politics, but in this moment, CP/CF has to go the safe route. They're a business, not an advocacy group for marriage equality.

It'd be more of a shame to see this promotion terminated due to backlash or protest.

The promotion is off: https://www.cedarpoint.com/blog-article/online-fun/Friday-the-13th

Well, the event has been cancelled.

Looks like nobody is getting married, now.

Given the park's decision to cancel the event, and with discussion moving outside the focus of this forum, it's best we bring this to a close.