Some of us wondered where the federal government was going with the ruling on same sex marriages performed in Canada for couples from other countries. These couples were told that their marriages were not legally valid for divorce here if they were not recognized in their home jurisdictions, but the ramifications were larger. Happily married couples from outside Canada felt that this undermined the commitment they had made to each other. The alarm was sounded by some that this was part of a socially conservative agenda on the part of the Conservative party.
I saw a letter to the editor in the Globe and Mail newspaper written by a law professor who insisted that there was no subterfuge here. It was simply an application of the existing laws, and I trust that this is true. Prime Minister Harper promised to act quickly to clarify the situation and he did. These non-Canadian couples have been assured that their marriages will be valid.
I find it interesting that in an era when the number of adults who are married in the US and Canada is on the decline, same-gender couples want the recognition of their marriage relationships , including from a religious standpoint for many.I have yet to be asked to perform a same-gender marriage but my colleagues who have tell me that the couples approach their ceremonies and commitment seriously and with joy.
Did you wonder where this situation was going and how it would be resolved? How are you doing with the existence of same gender marriages six and a half years after they were legalized in Canada? Has your outlook changed?
I'm downright **AMAZED** that Harper upheld the law on this one.
ReplyDeleteWith no disrespect intended, a good portion of the Conservative base is adamently opposed to gay marriage and voted for SH on the hopes that he'd repeal it. Indeed, Charles McVety (long time Harper supporter, evangelical organizer and gay marriage opponent extraordinaire) went so far as to slam Harper publically for "alienating his constituents" with this move. This is a guy who's been on board since the Reform days!
Big picture? I think that even though traditional marriage is on the decline, the fact that other more "non-traditional" segments of the population are drawn to it should be seen as a positive sign for the appeal and durability of the institution.
(Appropros of nothing, too: did anyone see that Thai dude who married his dead girlfriend this past week?! What the ... ?!)