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Posted by MIGUEL ANGEL CHAPARRO (Member # 47) on :

Canada an "oasis" for same-sex equality

David Helwig
CW Ontario correspondent
ontario@christianweek.org

OTTAWA, ON—Recent legal developments regarding same-sex marriages are being held up internationally as evidence that Canada has become a world leader in homosexual equality.

"Unlike in the U.S., religious fundamentalists have little clout," declares Deb Price of the Detroit News, in a column on gay issues distributed by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.

In a piece titled "Go North, Young Men," Price applauds the July 12 Ontario Divisional Court decision ordering Parliament to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples within two years.

The federal government announced July 29 that the ruling will be appealed, but Price nonetheless argues that it has already had significant impact south of the border. "The forceful decision now under appeal will add wind to the sails propelling same-sex marriage toward reality in the United States," says Price.

"The Netherlands became the first country to legalize gay marriage in 2001, but the strides being taken by the United States' neighbour to the north will resonate much more loudly in American legal, political and religious circles," she writes. "Canada has moved much more quickly than the United States in protecting gay citizens."

The July ruling held that the Ontario Government should have recognized two marriage certificates issued to same-sex couples by Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto.

In a response published August 19 by the U.S. news service Gay Today, Troy Perry, the California-based founder and moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, lauded the decision as "a significant victory that will have impact across Canada and around the world."

The ruling makes Canada "the third nation in the world to recognize same-sex unions, following in the footsteps of Denmark's (1989) registered-

partnership law and the Netherlands' (2001) gay-marriage law," Perry said.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom-based Independent newspaper applauded Quebec's decision this summer to sidestep the federal debate by passing its own civil union law. The new legislation, which gives gay couples the same rights as married

couples, is "among the most progressive of its kind in the world," declares The Independent's James Palmer.

The newspaper quotes Claudine Ouellette, director-general of Quebec's gay and lesbian coalition, as saying that Quebec has become "an oasis of equality."

Winning worldwide

"The latest ruling in Canada is thrilling, and it shows we are on the road to winning this battle worldwide," says Jon Davidson, a veteran gay-rights lawyer with the U.S.-based Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Will recent legal developments bring a flood of American gays here for "quickie" Canadian marriages?

"From a legal perspective, we should not be urging same-sex couples in California to think that in two years they will be able to travel to Canada, get married there, and come back and have an easy time obtaining legal treatment as married here," Davidson says in a commentary published by the Web site SameSexMarriage.ca.

Given the political and legal climate in the United States, it's unreasonable to think American same-sex couples who wed in Canada will be treated for all purposes as legally married when they return, says Davidson.

For example, the U.S. Defense of Marriage Act prohibits same-sex marriages being considered valid for federal law purposes including immigration or taxes, although Davidson believes that federal statute might be challenged on constitutional grounds.

Over time, he believes that U.S. lawmakers will follow Canada's example. "It's not that I think that people shouldn't start dreaming about Canadian honeymoons," adds Davidson.
[Frown]

Posted by art (Member # 6) on :

I am Canadian and it sickens me what our government allows. This gay movement is so militant, I think they need to go back into their closets. To see George and Steven walk down the aisle is too much for me. This is Sodom revisited. They need to come to know Jesus Christ as their saviour.

Posted by Kindgo (Member # 2) on :

Oh yes this is sad for sure, but it seems to be world wide.

I believe its a end-time sign.

As in the days of Noah.

Must mean that Jesus is coming soon!
[Big Clap]