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Minx · 06-11-2003, 06:43 AM

On the news this morning was the history making story of two Ontario men whose same sex marriage has been legally recognized.

The premier of Alberta (normally a pretty level headed guy) has taken quite the strong stand against it.

I think that if two people are in love and are living together as a couple they should be allowed to marry regardless of their sex. Times have changed, families are not your stereotypical Mom, Dad and two kids ideal anymore.

Here is the full story from the newspaper....I'd like to hear what you think - should this union be recognized just as a "regular" one would? I think so.

Klein will block same-sex unions
Gays celebrate Ontario court ruling

Tom Olsen and Kerry Williamson
Calgary Herald

Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Premier Ralph Klein has come out with his strongest comments yet against same-sex marriages.

Just hours after two Ontario men became Canada's first wedded gay couple, Klein reaffirmed Alberta will invoke the Charter of Rights and Freedoms' notwithstanding clause to prevent gay marriages.

The Tories will also urge Ottawa to appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal decision that legalizes same-sex unions, and will seek a stay of the ruling so no more same-sex marriages can occur before the case goes to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The federal government is reviewing the Ontario decision and has not decided whether it will appeal.

"The law in Alberta is clear," Klein told reporters at the Western Premiers Conference in Kelowna, B.C. "It's as clear as crystal. And that is, if there is any move to sanctify and legalize same-sex marriages, we will use the notwithstanding clause -- period."

The clause allows Ottawa and the provinces to declare a law does not apply to them.

"There might be some people who don't like it, but the simple fact is, if they try to sanctify gay marriage, we will use the notwithstanding clause," said Klein.

The premier said his comments reflect the position of his Tory caucus and of most Albertans. If there is a movement in caucus toward embracing gay marriage, the premier said he would reconsider.

"I haven't seen that movement take place at all," he added.

Klein's comments came as Toronto men Michael Leshner and Michael Stark exchanged vows in a civil ceremony Tuesday afternoon, just hours after the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled same-sex marriages are legal, deeming Canadian law on traditional marriage unconstitutional.

The court demanded Ottawa change the definition of marriage from "one man and one woman" to "two persons," ordering city clerks to immediately begin issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples.

The ruling was celebrated by gays and lesbians across Canada, including Calgary, where the decision was lauded as a major victory for human rights.

"This is a very big step in the right direction," said Bill Bickham, a Calgary man who says he has been married to his partner, Bruce Beal, for close to a decade. "A marriage is a marriage between two souls, not a man and a woman. And I think Alberta is ready for that."

The ruling means gay and lesbian couples can legally marry in Ontario, although their marriages will not be recognized in other provinces. It is the first time same-sex marriages have been legal in Canada.

Bickham says he would leap at the chance to be legally married if he could. He said that dream is now much closer.

"We had our commitment ceremony nine years ago, but we've never been recognized legally," said Bickham. "Both our employers recognize our marriage, all of our friends recognize it -- but the government doesn't.

"If we could get married legally, just like everyone else, we would have done it years ago. It's time. I think Alberta will follow suit, it might just take a little longer. This province isn't as redneck as people think. It really isn't."

Bickham said the biggest thing standing in the way of legal same-sex marriages in Alberta is the premier.

"As long as we have Ralph Klein, then we won't see it, but I think with any other premier, we would.

"I think more people will be happy about this decision than Premier Ralph Klein thinks. Klein has got to wake up, he's got to get himself out of his cave."

Calgary's Stephen Lock, regional representative for Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere, urged the federal government to act on the Ontario decision and draft legislation that will apply to the entire country.

"If the federal government doesn't appeal this, and there is some indication that they aren't, it would come into effect across Canada, but as it stands, Ontario is the only province that recognizes same-sex marriages," said Lock. "Now, two people who are legally married in Ontario wouldn't have that marriage recognized in Alberta. That's really quite peculiar. The federal government needs to state categorically one way or the other."

Lock was not surprised by Klein's comments.

"Every time this comes up, he starts flipping around saying Alberta isn't going to be forced by the feds. But that remains to be seen," he said.

"Equality is about having equal rights. Whether me and my partner decide to get married is up to us, it's not up to the government to say you can't do that because we say so."

Last July, Klein said he supports gays' rights to pensions, inheritance and protection under the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Act, but his government would not allow homosexual marriage and would invoke the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to prevent it.

"It's the only circumstance under which the notwithstanding clause would be used without a referendum," he said. "And it would be automatic."

06-11-2003, 06:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Minx Junkie Location: Up yonder	Same sex marriage considered legal? On the news this morning was the history making story of two Ontario men whose same sex marriage has been legally recognized. The premier of Alberta (normally a pretty level headed guy) has taken quite the strong stand against it. I think that if two people are in love and are living together as a couple they should be allowed to marry regardless of their sex. Times have changed, families are not your stereotypical Mom, Dad and two kids ideal anymore. Here is the full story from the newspaper....I'd like to hear what you think - should this union be recognized just as a "regular" one would? I think so. Klein will block same-sex unions Gays celebrate Ontario court ruling Tom Olsen and Kerry Williamson Calgary Herald Wednesday, June 11, 2003 Premier Ralph Klein has come out with his strongest comments yet against same-sex marriages. Just hours after two Ontario men became Canada's first wedded gay couple, Klein reaffirmed Alberta will invoke the Charter of Rights and Freedoms' notwithstanding clause to prevent gay marriages. The Tories will also urge Ottawa to appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal decision that legalizes same-sex unions, and will seek a stay of the ruling so no more same-sex marriages can occur before the case goes to the Supreme Court of Canada. The federal government is reviewing the Ontario decision and has not decided whether it will appeal. "The law in Alberta is clear," Klein told reporters at the Western Premiers Conference in Kelowna, B.C. "It's as clear as crystal. And that is, if there is any move to sanctify and legalize same-sex marriages, we will use the notwithstanding clause -- period." The clause allows Ottawa and the provinces to declare a law does not apply to them. "There might be some people who don't like it, but the simple fact is, if they try to sanctify gay marriage, we will use the notwithstanding clause," said Klein. The premier said his comments reflect the position of his Tory caucus and of most Albertans. If there is a movement in caucus toward embracing gay marriage, the premier said he would reconsider. "I haven't seen that movement take place at all," he added. Klein's comments came as Toronto men Michael Leshner and Michael Stark exchanged vows in a civil ceremony Tuesday afternoon, just hours after the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled same-sex marriages are legal, deeming Canadian law on traditional marriage unconstitutional. The court demanded Ottawa change the definition of marriage from "one man and one woman" to "two persons," ordering city clerks to immediately begin issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples. The ruling was celebrated by gays and lesbians across Canada, including Calgary, where the decision was lauded as a major victory for human rights. "This is a very big step in the right direction," said Bill Bickham, a Calgary man who says he has been married to his partner, Bruce Beal, for close to a decade. "A marriage is a marriage between two souls, not a man and a woman. And I think Alberta is ready for that." The ruling means gay and lesbian couples can legally marry in Ontario, although their marriages will not be recognized in other provinces. It is the first time same-sex marriages have been legal in Canada. Bickham says he would leap at the chance to be legally married if he could. He said that dream is now much closer. "We had our commitment ceremony nine years ago, but we've never been recognized legally," said Bickham. "Both our employers recognize our marriage, all of our friends recognize it -- but the government doesn't. "If we could get married legally, just like everyone else, we would have done it years ago. It's time. I think Alberta will follow suit, it might just take a little longer. This province isn't as redneck as people think. It really isn't." Bickham said the biggest thing standing in the way of legal same-sex marriages in Alberta is the premier. "As long as we have Ralph Klein, then we won't see it, but I think with any other premier, we would. "I think more people will be happy about this decision than Premier Ralph Klein thinks. Klein has got to wake up, he's got to get himself out of his cave." Calgary's Stephen Lock, regional representative for Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere, urged the federal government to act on the Ontario decision and draft legislation that will apply to the entire country. "If the federal government doesn't appeal this, and there is some indication that they aren't, it would come into effect across Canada, but as it stands, Ontario is the only province that recognizes same-sex marriages," said Lock. "Now, two people who are legally married in Ontario wouldn't have that marriage recognized in Alberta. That's really quite peculiar. The federal government needs to state categorically one way or the other." Lock was not surprised by Klein's comments. "Every time this comes up, he starts flipping around saying Alberta isn't going to be forced by the feds. But that remains to be seen," he said. "Equality is about having equal rights. Whether me and my partner decide to get married is up to us, it's not up to the government to say you can't do that because we say so." Last July, Klein said he supports gays' rights to pensions, inheritance and protection under the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Act, but his government would not allow homosexual marriage and would invoke the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to prevent it. "It's the only circumstance under which the notwithstanding clause would be used without a referendum," he said. "And it would be automatic." __________________ You've been a naughty boy....go to my room!