Fargo Reacts to Forum's Decision to Publish All Legal Marriage Notices
by Krista Boehm
July 30, 2012
The week–long debate about Fargo Forum's decision whether to publish same–sex wedding announcements has received global attention.
But the decision to start publishing those announcements has left mixed feelings for people here in the valley.
"It's just a new generation now."
This sums up the thoughts for Erin Hafliger from Fargo on The Forum's decision to change their policy and publish all legal marriage notices.
"I just hope more people will agree and be okay with it."
The controversy was sparked by a same–sex couple who tried publishing their New York wedding announcement in the Celebration section but was denied.
with the new Forum policy in place, some in the community are voicing their opinions.
"It makes me so much happier. Almost half my friends are homosexual here in Fargo. I know it makes them happy."
Kris Anderson said, "They should be more open to more things and realize its 2012 and there's a lot more open mindedness about it and it is a good decision on their part."
But others are choosing to stand by their religious beliefs, like Pastor Hank Pharis.
"You can call whatever you want a marriage but marriage is God's design and I would hope the community newspapers would follow the creator's design."
Tony Flach said, "Obviously that's their decision but I don't agree with it. I would have upheld their decision not to publish."
Whether you agree or not, its a decision that the Forum says is reasonable for the vast majority of the responses it received from the community.
The policy includes anyone who is engaged or was legally married in the seven states that have legalized gay marriage.
