The past few weeks have seen great strides forwards made in terms of legitimizing same-sex marriage in Canada. You may recall that in 2005 the Liberal government passed the Civil Marriage Act, which legalized same-sex marriage, extending and formalizing the benefits that most cohabitating same-sex couples since 1999 had enjoyed.
As for the steps forward, two sitting legislators married their same-sex partners recently.
The full text of the Civil Marriage Act, as a quick reminder, is as follows:
Marriage - certain aspects of capacity
2 - Marriage, for civil purposes, is the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others.
Religious officials
3 - It is recognized that officials of religious groups are free to refuse to perform marriages that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs.
Freedom of conscience and religion and expression of beliefs
3.1 - For greater certainty, no person or organization shall be deprived of any benefit, or be subject to any obligation or sanction, under any law of the Parliament of Canada solely by reason of their exercise, in respect of marriage between persons of the same sex, of the freedom of conscience and religion guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the expression of their beliefs in respect of marriage as the union of a man and woman to the exclusion of all others based on that guaranteed freedom.
Marriage not void or voidable
4 - For greater certainty, a marriage is not void or voidable by reason only that the spouses are of the same sex.
It's a nice, straightforward piece of legislation, and does exactly what it should do: removes the gender barrier when dealing with marriage.
As for the recent developments, I think you'll all join me in congratulating Scott Brison and George Smitherman on their recent marriages.
Scott Brison, MP (Congressman) for Kings-Hants, was marriedthis weekend to his longtime partner Maxime St. Pierre. Guests included the Leader of the Opposition (and of his party), two former Prime Ministers, and several high-profile Members of Parliament. Local reaction seems to have been supportive:
"If they're in love and want to be together, then that's awesome...Love is hard to find."
"To each their own. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions and own way of life."
Additionally, two weeks ago George Smitherman, MPP (State Legislator) for Toronto Center and Deputy Premier & Minister of Health of Ontario married his partner Christopher Peloso in a small ceremony in a retirement community in northern Ontario. Noted attendees include pre-eminent gay rights lawyer Doug Elliott, and former mayor of Toronto Barbara Hall, who personally made the wedding cake. The Premier himself didn't attend for logistical reasons, but offered, from Queen's Park:
"I've got nothing but the best wishes for George and I'm hoping that this marriage will help him come out of his shell."
Again, local reaction was as expected:
"I don't hear very much static about it. It doesn't bother me."
"It's hard to believe for an old fart like me. If that's what they want to do, go ahead and do it. It doesn't affect me. I don't necessarily agree with it, but it's up to them,"
Lastly, and this is more of a interest marriage (since it happened a while ago), we've also had same-sex marriages in the part on military baseshere. The first seems to have been in 2005, between a sergent and a warrant officer.
I'm sure this whole community joins me in offering congratulations to thos recently married, and a hope for the future that all couples who wish it may join them.