Same-Sex Legislation Passed!, Federal Government Recognizes! Options

Same-sex legislation passed

Last Updated Tue, 28 Jun 2005 21:07:41 EDT
CBC News

The Liberals' controversial same-sex marriage legislation has passed final reading the House of Commons, sailing through with a vote of 158 for and 133 against.

Supported by most members of the Liberals, the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP, the legislation passed easily, making Canada only the third country in the world, after the Netherlands and Belgium, to officially recognize same-sex unions.
But the passage of Bill C-38, once again, came with a political price tag for the government. Joe Comuzzi, resigned from the cabinet so he could vote against the bill - an open rebuke of the government legislation.

Comuzzi was the minister responsible for Northern Ontario.

Although he was the only cabinet minister to break ranks with Prime Minister Paul Martin over the controversial plan to legalize the marriage of gays and lesbians, it highlighted the divisions within Canada and the within the Liberal party, pitting supporters of equality rights against those who are defending religious freedoms.

For Comuzzi, the decision to resign meant putting principles ahead of the privileges of cabinet. "In 2004, during the election, I promised faithfully to the people of Thunder Bay-Superior North, that I would defend the definition of marriage," he said, explaining his move.

The prime minister said he regretted the decision of a man he called an "old friend," but accepts it because the government must speak with one voice on same-sex marriage.

The "vote is about the Charter of Rights," said Martin. "We're a nation of minorities and in a nation of minorities you don't cherry-pick rights."

The government has moved over the last few the months to appease critics both within Liberal ranks and among Canadians at large. Amendments were introduced to ensure no religious group or charitable organization is forced to accept same-sex marriage. But in spite of those amendments some groups remain unconvinced.

Same-sex marriage remains one of the most difficult issues ever to confront Canadian politicians. In large part passage of the bill is the reason the parliamentary session was extended for the first time in 17 years.

But while Tuesday night's vote closes off the debate in the Commons, the Conservatives insist there is no closure for Canadians who believe marriage should continue to be defined as the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says if his party forms the next government, the law will be revisited.

Harper made the promise one day after suggesting the adoption of the law lacked legitimacy because it relied on the support of the separatist Bloc Quebecois. Harper said he believes Bloc MPs are the legitimate representatives of Quebec voters. But he argues most Canadians aren't buying it as a final decision since most federalist MPs are opposed to same-sex marriage.

Harper says a Conservative government would hold a free vote for all MPs on the matter, rather than forcing cabinet ministers to vote with the government.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/nati...esex050628.html

This is always a fun topic (even more so now that our wonderful country has a conservative government!). I never know how to handle it. I mean, great if I wanna go marry a dude I like, I can. I suppose its a nice option, but as far as marriage goes, I don't think I'd ever do it. In fact, very few of my friends would (the gay ones and the straight ones). It would seem around here, marriage is falling out of favor. The people I know that are/want to get married are getting it done in a court by a judge or something. Personally I think it's nice. I never really could swallow that church is seperate from state in all matters, except marriage. There remains a strong connection to old religion in maggiage, it's one of the few rituals the 'west' still has...and frankly its stuffy and boring. But that's just my personal opinion.

Another personal opinion: marriage is a foolish thing. At least in the judeo-christian sense, but maybe thats becasue of the attitude and views people have toward "god". It's apparently all about love, but if you sin you're going to hell (but remember god loves you!). I was raised in a baptist....ummm....way. Not the most constructive environment for a young gay male. Thank goodness I had enough common sense to realize I wasn't some kind of abnormal freak who was condemned to hell fire. But still, I'm not going to say it didn't screw me up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As for being un-evolved....that's just plain stupid to say (IMHO). If you look around, especially here or in any circles this forum encompasses, you can find lots of homosexual people that are highly spiritually evolved, or are struggling to grow spiritually. Me, I'm a very spiritual person. I can't say the same for all my other gay friends, but you can't generalize things like that. It's silly. In fact, I'm surprised a lot of gay people are spiritual--most are terribly wounded by attitudes that say they're creatures of sin, evil and unworthy of love. Unnatural. Well, that's dumb. I live and breate as any one else does, am I not natural? I like ice cream, is that an unnatural feeling? Is my love for another man, then, perverted and disguating? (well, lots of people would say yes)

I don't see why it matters so much. I don't know why people can't just look around and see that it doesn't matter. When I was a few years younger (and NEW to the gay thing, if that can be said (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)), I would be seething with anger. Now I'm just confused and puzzled. I don't know if thats a good change.

In the end, people are people. That's all there is. Why bother to try to make others less? What's the point? In the end it will always be the same. Struggle, fighting, suffering. There is always some group causing these things and there is always some group struggling against it.

I have no idea. It's just....well, what a world.



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