Canadas first LEGAL marriage !!

[BagelsnCreamCheese]

OK theres a huge lineup in Toronto for marriage licenses after the first LEGAL same sex marriage took place in Toronto on Tuesday.... Whoohooooo hope there is no turnover this time around. but LEgal is legal yesssss Go Canada!! Congrats to the Happy couple !

[gaymer]

cant wait for US to get in gear and follow our canadian neighbors!!! *crosing fingers that it stays legal*

[Hunter Dowyne]

Yeah, this whole things is awesome! My friend just told me about the exciting news today! She lives up near Toronto and said it's been crazy since the news broke...in a good way of course. She did say there are some provinces that aren't giving the marriage certificates though. Hopefully they'll be made to have to do so!!!

Go Canada!!!

~ Hunter

[Manda]

Wow! Thats sooooo freakin exciting! The wording is MARRIAGE right? Like not domestic partner or civil union.

Hunter, I have to second that, Go Canada! (never thought I would say that LOL)

~Manda

[Kitten]

Whaddya mean you never thought you'd say "Go Canada". :)

Well, the attorney general said yesterday that they would register the marriages that are performed, so whatever happens (i.e. whether the federal government decides to appeal it, or put a stay on the decision), the marriages that have been performed will be legal for now and all eternity. In fact, they made it retroactive - last year, when Toronto passed the ruling, two couples (one male, one female) were married. Later, the provincial government declared the marriage illegal as the decision had been ratified by the provincial government.

Those two marriages were made retroactively legal. So, whohoo! We have two other provinces, Quebec and BC that have also had provincial decisions to make same sex marriages legal, but both provinces wrote in to their decision that they would not perform marriages until it was approved by the federal government. The Ontaroo decision said "we approve it and start right now". S'wunnerful!

I was surprised how emotional I got yesterday when I watched two marriages happen. I actually teared up.

And btw - whomever asked 'it is "marriage" right? Yes it is "marriage". The forms right now are being handwritten, but instead of "husband" and "wife", they now say "person" and "person".

the only marriages so far have been in Toronto, but there a number of licenses were applied for yesterday in Ottawa.

Geez! Could I talk more? lol

[Manda]

Kitten,

Haven't you ever seen South Park- you know "blame Canada" Didn't mean to offend you. I'm actually looking forward to a possible trip to Canda in the early fall- can't wait!

I think that the "person" "person" language is amazing! Its about time that laws recognized people as PEOPLE.

~Manda

[Peach]

As soon as BC gets on board, Huskyb and I will be heading back tothe altar. We had a wedding in Vegas, but a legal one in BC is going to be great!

[Kitten]

You didn't offend me Manda - I was just teasing! Hanging around the Forum you tend to overlook the "blame Canada" jokes etc. if and when they pop up. :)

BTW - could I have made more grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and had more poorly constructed sentences in that last post? Unlikely! lol I was just really excited! Mea culpa!

lol

[~femme~]

About bloody time!

How exciting tho!

hmmmm..... maybe i should move to Cananda..... ???? lol

[Manda]

ButchGal,

Can I ask where you heard that? I'm not sure how that would work because even states don't have to honor domestic partnerships or civil unions issued by another state. Unless, there is some loophole because it is between countries or because it actually uses the word marriage? hmmmmm

~Manda

[butchbiscuit]

go Canada go... ;)
Canada rocks...
could this be part of Chretien's legacy?

bb > a Canadian in case you didn't know :)

[honeybarbara]

well, looks like when I wanna bring home a british butch I can now have a fuck of a lot easier time with immigration!!!!!!!!! Not too keen on marriage but if it makes my partner easy to import... Fuckin Eh!

*happy*

[DScout]

WAAAAHHHHOOOOO!!!!!!

Lets all head up I-5 !!!!

[fishinabaggie]

(a) Hey Brazen.................I dooooooooooooooooooooo!

[kenoragrrl]

Yes it is official... we are now legally entitled to be institutionalized, lol. And I think it is person/spouse on the form, instead of bride/groom. This is a great thing for those who are ready to take the plunge, and gives the rest of us something to look forwards to.

[U2]

Hats off to Canada, congratulations. I also read in a news story that the U.S. would have to recognize the "same sex marriages." However, I don't think so. (I wish it were that simple.) I'm not an attorney but I am a life long Queer Activist. If my country refuses to recognize International Law at it's whim, then I am hesitant to believe the current U.S. Federal courts, Congress or Excutive Office will just accept it. I myself will continue to work for Human Rights. Yes, this is a very exciting time in the history of our community and North America. YEAH Canada.

U2

[Catssu]

YAY for Canada!!! Great news!!!
and a BIG hello to Miss Kitten! (f)

Cats!

[Manda]

Thanks so much ButchGal for posting that information and link! It sounds great in theory- I mean if its a "real" legal marriage from another nation how can the government justify not honoring it for queers if they honor a marriage performed in Canada with a heterosexual couple? But I have to agree with U2.... I think we just have to wait and see how this one plays out, given the history of queer rights in this country. It just seems too good to be true.

~Manda

[ShyAngel]

**********I mean if its a "real" legal marriage from another nation how can the government justify not honoring it for queers if they honor a marriage performed in Canada with a heterosexual couple? ***********

They honor other countries het mariages in the US, because het mariages are legal here. When Gay mariages are legal here, the US gov will honor gay mariages from other countries.

Jen

[BagelsnCreamCheese]

Um Babygrrl, I just read that ya'll said I do ;0) I love you baby and hope u see this (( hiding out on daddys puter for a sec oer here in Manitoba) I miss you hun, Thanks for the message and cya in about a month !!!!

Yours forever, Brazen

[Toughy]

The DOMA (defense of marriage act) passed by Congress defines marriage as heterosexual and therefore....gay marriages in another country will not be recognized by the US government...plus I think its 38 states who have also passed similiar legislation....

[Huskybutch]

GO CANADA!! Once again, Canada proves what a great, accepting country it is. I am thrilled that I will be able to legally marry my Canadian femme soon. But these marriages will NOT be recognized legally in the U.S. Toughy is correct about the defense of marriage act. Most of the states have passed laws that say marriage can only occur between a man and a woman. The U.S. is NOT required to recognize marriages from another country that conflict with U.S. law. The U.S. does whatever the hell it wants. So, it will not help with immigration problems one iota, unfortunately. The U.S. can deny anyone entry into the U.S. and they don't even have to give a reason. And as long as the Bush administration is in charge (and probably will be until 2008) you can forget any strides being made in the area of gay rights/gay marriage, etc.
To all my Canadian brothers and sisters who want to marry, this is a great day, and I congratulate you for this victory in the battle for gay rights. I hope to live in Canada once I retire and I am certain this will make this a bit easier.

[peas&carrots]

I am so proud and happy to be a Canadian! There is no turning back now. Wow! I can't believe I'm living this important part of gay history. Now I just gotta find me a wifey (aka hubby).

I get ticked off that certain fundamentalists feel that legalized same sex marriages threaten the notion of "family". Why can't gay people have and be families too?

However, I find it equally encouraging that a large majority of people under age 35 support gay marriages.

[sue02]

Got to agree.... feeling very very proud to be Canadian today. So happy when I heard the news Tuesday that our Feds weren't going to appeal the Ontario decision, I actually broke out in tears.

What a wonderful time to be alive.... planning on celebrating this pride day with a whole new sense of Pride! :)

[butchbiscuit]

yahoo!!!
another proud Canadian that is so freaking glad to hear today's outcome...now we just need to get that legislation passed through the House of Commons...which should happen in a few weeks, i believe... :)

bb

[peas&carrots]

BB, it is my understanding that it will take a lot longer because the federal government is going to make a draft and get an opinion on it from the Supreme Court (which is in recess until mid-September) before passing legislation...not to worry, though, we are on the way to becoming the 3rd country to legalize same-sex marriage.

[Kitten]

(just wanted to add my "woohoo's" to the general merriment) lol

Also - some folks in the Forum have commented on this before and will probably comment on it again - but I am SO proud to be a Canadian, always have been, always will be. I'm 5th generation on one side of the family and countless generations on the other (Algonquin Indian) but have lived in 5 other countries - and I have always felt Canada is the most wonderful place to live. (Not that other countries are bad!)


This is yet one more reason to celebrate.

Yayyyyyyy Canada!

[IndigoGirl]

Legal same sex marriages and hockey...packing up the U-haul...

Way to go Canada...Proud to have Canadian blood running through my veins

[MsMissy]

Yes, I read that. Still looking forward to the court challenges. Should prove to be very interesting.

[butchbiscuit]

Originally posted by peas&carrots
BB, it is my understanding that it will take a lot longer because the federal government is going to make a draft and get an opinion on it from the Supreme Court (which is in recess until mid-September) before passing legislation...not to worry, though, we are on the way to becoming the 3rd country to legalize same-sex marriage.

hi peasandcarrots...

while you are correct that it is going to take longer to get to the Supreme Court of Canada and finalized, I believe the legislation will be drafted in a couple of weeks and then MP's will vote on it first before it EVEN gets to the Supreme Court...i probably should have left the "just" out of my statement! :)

there's still a bit of a process to go through, not to mention the outcry from the public, but i also really like the twist that the government is including in the legislation draft...this part here:

"Ottawa will introduce legislation to make same-sex marriages legal, while at the same time permitting churches and other religious groups to "sanctify marriage as they see it," the prime minister said Tuesday"

it's a step to try to keep everyone happy and pretty ingenious actually imho...

bb

here is a link to the CBC article http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/06/17/gaymarriage_cab030617

[sue02]

Originally posted by butchbiscuit

while you are correct that it is going to take longer to get to the Supreme Court of Canada and finalized...i also really like the twist that the government is including in the legislation draft...this part here:

"Ottawa will introduce legislation to make same-sex marriages legal, while at the same time permitting churches and other religious groups to "sanctify marriage as they see it," the prime minister said Tuesday"

In reply to BB's post couldn't help but grin.....

thinking about the idea of the Cdn government unwittingly drafting legislation that may open another floodgate for sanctified polygamous marriages.......oooooh, just think..... marrying two or three or more butches ...... yuuuummmm! ;)

Seriously for a sec, yes, the Feds will be tabling a 1st draft of legislation short (at least this is what the Fed Justice Minister said they would be doing). However, any new bill has to go through 3 readings in the House of Commons and be reviewed by the Senat before it can become law. The 1st reading - where they table the bill - isn't even a reading, it's merely a first introduction of the bill to the House and essentially an appointment booking exercise for the 2nd reading. Given the Feds intend to get the Supreme Court's opinion on the bill's wording (by way of an official referral to them for interpretation as to legality), don't expect the 2nd reading to be booked too soon.

Between 1st and 2nd reading we can expect all the usual round table and white paper input by the populous and the political parties on amendments to the bill's 1st draft wording. Which means delay.... So, even if the Supreme Court is back by the fall, I would be surprised if they render a quick opinion.

In the meantime.... folks will just have to hike up to beautiful Ontario to enjoy the marriage of a lifetime...

just my .02 cents..

[tourboi]

All I can say is I am so friggin happy, its about time and way to go Canada. A proud Libral I am! Now lets start working on the
US of A! Think we can do it boi's and grrrls? Tour boi

Waiting for the right moment to ask my partner in crime to Marry me. Any suggestions? on how to ask and set a perfect mood, I need help folks!

[aurora]

*G* well on 2 pm on the 10th I heard the news...I was driving home from somewhere, when I got in the house I immediately asked my darling butchie Bren to marry me!!! We both cried and hugged...and then 8:45 the next morning we were at city hall...LOLOL...the poor clerk looked suprised...even though Toronto had been issuing for 1/2 a day North Bay was still confused! It took until Friday the 13th for them to get written instructions on how to process our application...It was an emotional moment when we signed all the papers..lol...Bren filled out the "Groom" secion and I filled out the "bride" section, cuz they have not changed the forms yet.
Then I called a minister that I know and she said "sure I'll do the wedding" !
Tuesday June 17th at 3pm we were legally married!!!! A very beautiful ceremony with a dozen of our close friends (who snuck out of work to be there) around us!

AND WOW does it make a difference is so many ways..for example...we get a discount for our auto insurance cuz we are now a married couple...go figure!

anyway! I am avery proud Canadian...and lawfully married WIFE!
LOL I am not sure which of us made an honest woman out of the other...but we are both still glowing!

[IrishFire]

Originally posted by ShyAngel
**********I mean if its a "real" legal marriage from another nation how can the government justify not honoring it for queers if they honor a marriage performed in Canada with a heterosexual couple? ***********

They honor other countries het mariages in the US, because het mariages are legal here. When Gay mariages are legal here, the US gov will honor gay mariages from other countries.

Jen

Jen, I don't have a legal degree or even a legal dictionary, but I thought the US honored foreign marriages that would absolutely not be performed here. Arranged marriages, forced marriages, and very young marriages spring to mind. (actually, I think arranged marriage is legal here . . . the children are simply not bound to the decision of the parents) Just a thought. Well, more of a hope!

-IrishFire

[Kitten]

Here in Toronto, they have Bride and Groom crossed out, and handwritten above it, it says "Person" and "Person".

May you have many years of happiness together...:)

Kit

[satin]

RuggedButch and i were legally married on June 27th, the beginning of our Pride weekend! YAAAAAAA grin........we can still hardly belive it is real! We have hung our marriage license on the wall right beneath our Covenant Certificate from our church wedding. How amazing is Ontario???

[MsMissy]

Congratulations!

Many blessings on your union!

[ndipayuk]

i think alot of you canadian folks are happy.and why shouldn't ya?
it feels like a blessing doesn't it?
raise your hands and say hurray! i am blest to be a canadian.
this is a landmark in queer history.
hope the us follows and we can all have a better quality of life.
live the life we want to.
if i was canadian,i wouldn't hesitate to buy all the life insurance and a huge house for my wifey cause this way,i know no one is taking her house from her if i am nolonger around.
and that our kids will be taken care of.
it feels good to be a canadian.i celebrate for you guys.
holla.

[tourboi]

So come on up and get married! What are ya waiting for? In fact my wife's ex is coming up from Virginia next week with her wife to be and are getting legally married. I am so happy for them! I am not yet married, I am just waiting to get the perfect rings and the right time and place to Propose to mine. Wish me luck! Tour boi

[ndipayuk]

ALL THE BEST AND NONE THE WORST LUCK TOUR BOI!.
DON'T IT FEEL LIKE ROLLING IN A CONVERTIBLE IN THE SUMMER AND THE WINDS BLOWING THROUGH YOUR HAIR?
GO CANADA!.
KEEP IT REAL,KEEP THE PEACE AND RESPECT YOUR BOIS AND GURLLS.

[satin]

Tour! baby........quit waiting! marry the girl!!!!!! she won't care about the time and place.......she cares about YOU! grin....come on boi! you know you wannaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

speaking of course as a very happily married lil femme!

[pixie_dyke]

it's super cool
unfortunalty for us albertians
our priemeir (who I want to kill -leathal femme, I know-) has found thins little loophole he's gonna use so gay marriages aren't allowed in alberta
I hope he dies
in the words of my ex-girlfriend's sister
that man needs to be tied to a bed and fucked very hard by a guy.

but this is a super exiting thing

Yen