I have come across quite a few married couples in second life. Although some of them are married to their real life partners in second life, a lot of them are second life marriages only, with, or without their real life partner’s knowledge. I find the need for commitment in second life as well as real life fascinating, so I went along to the Moo’nlight Chapel at FairChang Del Sol where I met the owner Marcio Moo (he also performs the ceremonies there). Marcio gave me an insight into the people he peforms the marriage services for. He told me that he had been in the business since June and in that time he had performed over ninety marriages. As the ceremony is based on love and not religion, anyone who wants to commit to a loved one can get married there. He told me that he had performed about half a dozen lesbian services to date, so there is no bar on love, which is how it should be. I asked Marcio why he thought people wanted to get married in second life as well as real life and he said that second life is an emulation of real life and he feels that people need to find a reason to stay in second life, so why not experience marriage in second life as well. He has ‘voice’ activated in his Chapel and he has heard people crying during the wedding services and says that second life involves real emotions with the couples involved. I asked him how much it costs to get married and he said that they have packages ranging from L$5000 to L$8000. His industry is devoted to weddings and you can get everything from wedding dresses to furniture to start your new home. The happy couples are issued with a certificate at the end of the ceremony to record their big day. Marcio is very good at dealing with people and very easy to talk to. He also has to deal with sadness on occasions, if a couple split before the wedding he has to comfort the would be bride or groom when they contact him to cancel the proceedings. I asked him if he thought real life partners got upset when they found out that their husband or wife was committed to someone in sl and he said he thought the problems arose when the real life partner did not know of the second life relationship. He considered that people might marry in second life to escape from a bad marriage in real life as well. Marcio said that second life is only real life with a digital interface. I have to agree with him on this, as being in second life can be a very emotional experience. I would like to thank Marcio very much for such an in-depth interview and may he continue to have success with the wonderful service that he provides for people in love.
Submitted by Janey Bracken