god bless canada

[Guest tiltmiami]

Same-sex couples would be granted legal rights of heterosexual couple

Updated: 3:58 p.m. ET June 28, 2005

TORONTO - Canada is set to become the third country to legalize gay marriage, with Parliament likely to pass landmark legislation Tuesday despite strong opposition from Conservatives and religious leaders.

Although gay marriage already is legal in seven provinces, the bill would grant all same-sex couples in Canada the same legal rights as those in traditional heterosexual unions. The Netherlands and Belgium already allow gay marriage.

The legislation, drafted by Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority government, needs at least 155 members of the House of Commons to gain a majority of the 308-seat House. While some of his Liberal lawmakers have said they will not back the legislation, enough allies in other parties have indicated they would support the bill when it comes to a vote.

There are an estimated 34,000 gay and lesbian couples in Canada, according to government statistics.

"I think this is going to be a proud and exciting day to be a Canadian because we are, once again, affirming to the world that we are a country that is open, inclusive and welcoming," said Alex Munter, national coordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage, a group that has led the debate for the legislation.

"This is a victory for Canadian values."

Martin, a Roman Catholic, has said that despite anyone's personal beliefs, all Canadians should be granted the same rights to marriage.

"I rise in support of a Canada in which liberties are safeguarded, rights are protected and the people of this land are treated as equals under the law," Martin told the House of Commons.

Churches worried about same-sex ceremonies

Churches have expressed concern that their clergy would be compelled by law to perform same-sex ceremonies, with couples taking them to court or human rights tribunals if refused. The legislation, however, states that the bill only covers civil unions, not religious ones, and no clergy would be forced to perform same-sex ceremonies unless they choose to do so.

"The facts are plain: Religious leaders who preside over marriage ceremonies must and will be guided by what they believe," Martin said. "If they do not wish to celebrate marriages for same-sex couples, that is their right."

The Roman Catholic Church, the predominant Christian denomination in Canada, has vigorously opposed the legislation.

"The most overlooked and disenfranchised group in the current debate about marriage is that of children," Calgary Bishop Frederick Henry said in a recent statement.

"The issue is not whether traditional marriage, as it stands, is a perfect institution, but whether society and especially children are better off with it than without. Families with both mothers and fathers are generally better for children than those with only mothers or only fathers. Biological parents usually protect and provide for their children more effectively than non-biological ones."

Key Supreme Court ruling

The debate in Canada began in December, when the Supreme Court ruled that passage of same-sex legislation would not violate the constitution.

A roster of right-wing groups under the banner Defend Marriage Canada headed to Parliament Hill on Tuesday to lobby legislators against the bill.

"I fear radical social change thrust upon a nation that is not asking for it," Charles McVety, a spokesman for Defend Marriage Canada and president of Canada Christian College, told Canadian Press.

According to most polls, a majority of Canadians supports the right for gays and lesbians to marry. In the United States, gay marriage is opposed by a majority of Americans, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll taken in November, shortly after constitutional amendments in 11 states to ban same-sex marriage were approved.

Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriages, although Vermont and Connecticut have approved same-sex civil unions.

© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Guest JMT]

is there something you want to tell us?

[Guest tiltmiami]

is there something you want to tell us?

Canada would be the only other place to let something like that happen. Let them get married there that’s perfect, now they all can move out of the country, think about it how great this is for Miami, San Fran and Cape Cod

[Guest cutchemist]

canada is the shit....toronoto has an area called "church and Welsley" that is like a little china town but its a little gay town instead....i saw my first "drag king" show there it was great...i hung out wit some clubs kids i met for a week. One of them was this chunky no style, bad hair, timid guy....when he dressed in drag he was beautiful

shanlee, richard, emmer....can't wait to see them agian

i remember talkin to a dyke about cars....mine of course ....and she went on to talk about how she had lost her mustang in the divorse...astonished at the thought of this bull dyke being married to a man my mouth dropped open....she knew it too cuz she was like "yo- gay marrige is legal here"...

the scene is so refreshing...if u ever have a chance check it out

saw danny tang. and boy george spin while i was up there

;D

[Guest tiltmiami]

reminds me of p town

[all4tribal1414779019]

is there something you want to tell us?

Canada would be the only other place to let something like that happen. Let them get married there that’s perfect, now they all can move out of the country, think about it how great this is for Miami, San Fran and Cape Cod

u sure u aint homophobic?

[Guest tiltmiami]

Kind of.Well they are getting way to close to me bro put ur self on my shoes

[Guest mursa]

Kind of.Well they are getting way to close to me bro put ur self on my shoes

[Guest tiltmiami]

LOL,Portuga

def not gay

[all4tribal1414779019]

dude ive lived 4 blocks north of u on collins...im sure they arent getting too closed to you, unless u hang out between 13th and 12th st by that restaurant/bar on ocean drive

[Guest tiltmiami]

dude ive lived 4 blocks north of u on collins...im sure they arent getting too closed to you, unless u hang out between 13th and 12th st by that restaurant/bar on ocean drive

lol,i feel u

[Guest JMT]

but i think tilt had an "incident"

[Guest Cosmigonon]

but i think tilt had an "incident"

HAHAHAHA

What's up Tilt?

[Guest tiltmiami]

LOL,u can say that

[CrzyC1414779017]

Canada would be the only other place to let something like that happen. Let them get married there that’s perfect, now they all can move out of the country, think about it how great this is for Miami, San Fran and Cape Cod

If you are for real with this post then I am very disappointed in your closemindedness.

[Guest Satan]

Canada would be the only other place to let something like that happen. Let them get married there that’s perfect, now they all can move out of the country, think about it how great this is for Miami, San Fran and Cape Cod

If you are for real with this post then I am very disappointed in your closemindedness.

agreed.

im all for gay rights....i just dont know why anybody this day and age wants to fight over getting married!

JUST WAIT UNTIL THE FIRST GAY DIVORCE! thats gonna be outta fucken control.

seriously, my gay friends.....im all for you gaining all the rights you deserve. (obtain this right if it feels right, but just dont exercise it unless you are REALLY ready for that kind of a business contract, cause thats EXACTLY what it is... satan has spoken)