A few days before my wedding celebration, a city hall employee informs me that it is mandatory to appear bareheaded during the ceremony. She specifies that it’s due to secularism: if I don’t remove my headscarf, the marriage will not be celebrated.
Is this true?
FALSE
- The principle of secularism, as well as the obligation of neutrality which is its corollary, applies to public service agents, but in no case to ordinary users, even when they are users of a public service.
- Prohibiting the wearing of headscarves during the celebration of marriage at city hall is illegal, as it infringes on religious freedom and the right to marry.
- The civil registrar does not have the power to refuse to pronounce the marriage.
In this situation, what should I do?
- Request that this demand to remove the headscarf and its reason be notified to me in writing;
- Demand to be shown the regulations motivating such a prohibition;
- Contact the mayor and/or their chief of staff to remind them of the law;
- Contact Equitas who will provide support and legal assistance.
