The bride-groom option, and more

Couples getting married in California will once again be able to identify themselves as “bride” and “groom,” after people objected to filling out state marriage licenses as “Party A” and “Party B.” “We’ve been hearing from a lot of average Californians that they would like to have the bride-groom option,” said state spokeswoman Suanne Buggy. The new licenses will allow either partner or both to declare themselves “bride” or “groom.” There will also be boxes for “First person” and “Second person.”

A Massachusetts church is encouraging worshippers to bring their dogs with them. The Rev. Rachel Bickford of the Pilgrim Congregational Church says the “woof ’n’ worship” services will include the prayer, “Dear Lord, please make me the person my dog thinks I am.” Bickford said it won’t matter if the service ends with poop in the pews. “Dogs bring such hope in a world where we’re surrounded by such hopelessness,” she said.

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