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Tue June 28, 2005 9:35 PM GMT-04:00
By David Ljunggren
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Parliament on Tuesday approved legislation to allow same sex marriages across the country, despite fierce opposition from conservative politicians and religious groups.
Legislators voted by 158-133 to support the bill, which makes Canada only the third country in the world after Belgium and the Netherlands to permit gay marriages.
Most Canadian provinces already allow same-sex marriages, and Canada has become a popular destination for gay and lesbian couples from countries where these unions are banned.
The minority Liberal government said it had to draw up the legislation after courts in eight of the country's 10 provinces ruled that a ban same-sex marriages was unconstitutional because it violated Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Canada's relaxed stance on gay marriage, and on other social issues, stands in contrast to that of the United States, where President Bush wants Congress to back a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages.
"We are a nation of minorities and in a nation of minorities, it is important that you don't cherry pick rights. A right is a right and that is what this vote tonight is all about," Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said shortly before the vote.
Thousands of gay and lesbian couples have already been wed in Canada. Some came up from the United States, although their unions are not recognized back home.
Church groups and the main opposition Conservative Party say the law is an attack on organized religion, and some have suggested that it could lead to the legalization of polygamy.
"(This) is effectively exposing people of faith to persecution and prosecution ... I want to make it very clear today that this is the beginning of the formal fight against the definition of marriage," said Charles McVety, president of the Canada Family Action Coalition.
Opponents say they fear churches and religious officials could be sued for refusing to carry out same sex marriages.
In fact, the legislation grants gays and lesbians the right to full civil marriages, but makes clear that religious officials would not be obliged to marry same-sex couples.
This did not do enough to allay the fears of some Liberal legislators, 32 of whom voted against the bill.
Martin ordered his cabinet to back the legislation, prompting junior minister Joe Comuzzi to resign before the vote so he could vote "no."
The bill still needs to be approved by the Liberal-dominated Senate upper chamber, but that is seen as a formality.
Some Liberal lawmakers admit they fear a voter backlash at the next federal election, expected early next year. Conservative leader Stephen Harper says opposing gay marriage will form a major part of his election platform.
But Harper's stance could also be risky. The Liberals won elections in 2000 and 2004 in part because they portrayed their right-wing rivals as extremists who would hack away at civil rights if elected.
Parliament broke for the summer immediately after the vote. Legislators will resume work on Sept. 26.
(\\__/) And if you don't believe The sun will rise
(='.'=) Stand alone and greet The coming night
(")_(") In the last remaining light. (C. Cornell)
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13780
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I have often heard that having equal rights aofr same sex couples with mixed sex couples will pave the way for the legalisation of ploygamy.
Now I am reasonably intelligent, and so are the religious fascists. So why can they spot a connection that I cannot?
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Hmmmmmmmmmm........
I wonder.........
Perhaps they see it their way and you see it your way.... and just by chance the two ways are different.......
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13780
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Marc wrote:
> Perhaps they see it their way and you see it your way.... and just by chance the two ways are different.......
Well perhaps. I have been pondering this statement since I saw it early today, and I still have trouble with it.
I will grant oyu that they have every right to have a different opinion on gay marriage. I happen to support commited partnerships with propelry defined partner benefits whatever the gender of the partnership.
I suppose the argument may run thus: "Gay men are proniscuous. Thety have (gasp!) multiple partners. So if we regularise a partnerhsip between two we shoudl also between three."
I cannot easily see how that logic can be used against commited one on one relationships. To me a gay couple is a couple wishing to make a public affirmation of their self imposed ocntract between themselves together with a formal filing for equivalent partner benefits with those of a dual gender couple.
I tend to try not to use the term "Marriage" because it seems to upset the fundamentalists.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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If that line of thought reguarding multiple partners holds true then whores will be able to marry all the johns they want.
It's jusr rediculous rambling by idiots.
Gay couples can be as monogamous as any hetero couple.
MARRIGE......MARRIGE........MARRIGE......
and the fundamentalists can go..... go..... go.......
I won't even say where they can go...... But if they use their imagination i am sure they can deduce where I am thinking of.
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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I was driving home from the city as the vote was happening in the House of Commons. When they announced on the radio it had passed I cheered out loud.
It's a proud day for me to be Canadian 
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Guest
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On fire! |
Registered: March 2012
Messages: 2344
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WOOHOO! I'm moving to canada, who is with me!
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Hinch, you should be proud of being a part of a country that doesn't stay entrenched in the stone ages.
If it wasn't so dang cold up there, I might consider moving, too!!!!
Enjoy your new found freedom!
Hugs,
BamBam
Celebrate your life... embrace your love... Become intimate with your place in forever !!!
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I aggree with you Marc and wish discussions could be held with my fellows of a minority sexual persuasion, without I need to fling the word "fascist" at those that disagree with us. We are a minority and sometimes they have the votes and we grumble, and sometimes we win the vote, and they get to grumble. The last ten or fifteen years have seen great changes and acceptance for our life style. Much more than I ever hoped to see in my lifetime. I know you young people want more, and faster, but accept your gains, and while living like good fellow citizens with those that disagree with you, help in any way you can to chip away at intolerance.
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Why is gay marriage connected to polygamy? 
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Re: Canada Parliament approves same sex marriage 
Re: Canada Parliament approves same sex marriage 
