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Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passes

Category: Politics
Wed, 29 Jun 2005, 17:09

Last night, the Canadian parliament did the right thing and passed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. The only meaningful hurdle left is Senate approval, and then Canada will join the Netherlands and Belgium as the first progressive countries to allow gays and lesbians to marry.

As might be expected, Stephen Harper and the opposition Conservatives promise to fight the issue further. But they really don't have any grounds to oppose the bill. Already, courts in eight provinces and one territory have ruled that same-sex couples can marry. Any legislation that a possible future Conservative government might try to enact to rescind same-sex marriage rights would be immediately challenged, and likely struck down by the same courts.

The opposition never really had a chance. Quite simply, most people who oppose same-sex marriage don't really have anything to lose. The issue has only been about extending legal rights to certain people, and has never meant taking away any existing rights from anyone else. For me, I know how I'd feel if the government told me I that couldn't marry my wife. It's only fair that other loving couples also have the same legal right to marry.

Allowing same-sex marriage means that the institution of marriage can now be enjoyed by even more people. Marriage has thus been strengthened for all of us. At one time, only marriages performed in Anglican churches were legally recognized in parts of Canada. And even well into the last century, people could be arrested for just dating outside their "race". It's been a long road, but now practically all couples in Canada can legally marry, regardless of religious denomination, skin color, or sexual orientation.

Hans

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