Arran Liddel, who specializes in LGBTQ unions, talks about lessons learned on the job
As part of 2015 Jobs Report, we profiled a few Canadians who are boldly setting forth on some unusual, fascinating and downright cool jobs. In the profile below, Genna Buck speaks to Arran Liddel.
I was a member of the Ontario Humanist Society. The chair of the ceremonies committee said, “Have you ever thought about being an officiant?” At first I was very resistant; I’m an introvert. I said I’d give it a try. It ended up taking off quickly.
The society has a training program. They ask for an undergraduate degree and experience working with people. You have to have good boundaries, good ethics. When you’ve met all the requirements, which include a mentoring component, they submit the paperwork to have you licensed. The process takes about a year.
I meet with every couple before they book me, so we can get to know each other. If it feels like a good fit, we book, and I work with every couple to create something very personal. There are a few legal things that have to be said; the rest is open. On the day of the wedding, I turn up an hour beforehand. We do a walk-through of the ceremony. Guests assemble, and I do paperwork and prepare the marriage register.
A couple I married on Toronto Island had just 12 guests. Their close family was there and one father. The family was religious, so it was a big deal that the father turned up. It was very sweet. They wanted to get married barefoot under a willow tree and they came wearing flowers in their hair. One of the guys serenaded the other one with his guitar.
I have met fantastic couples. I have also been able to marry a couple of friends, which has been amazing. There’s a very flexible schedule. You get to see some of the most beautiful parts of the city. In most cases, at the end of work, I’m handed a glass of champagne and people cheer. The cons are that it’s seasonal and it wouldn’t financially sustain most people.
One of the [Humanist] requirements is being an active member for a year. Talk to someone who does it. Often, people think it’s easy money. For every half-hour ceremony, 10 hours of work goes into it. Writing skills would be good, because you’re creating the ceremonies. Have a deep understanding of how things can be different in LGBTQ communities.
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