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Another freakin' letter...
I appear to be in a letter-writing mood. This one went to all my email-connected family members...
Hello family!
Everyone reading this message is a dear friend or loved one of mine. I cherish and value you all, more than I could ever tell you. I am writing because there is a huge debate going on across Canada right now, regarding who should have which rights, and who should not.
Most of you know that I'm gay. You met my boyfriend, Vinny, at the family reunion, and you've known me since somewhere between conception and birth, mostly. I believe that all Canadians should be treated equally under the law, and that includes equal access to a fundamental institution like marriage.
Same-sex marriage (*equal*, I call it) is legal in Canada. Right now. In Ontario and BC, courts have ruled that opposite-sex only marriage is illegal discrimination, since the Charter of Rights and Freedoms requires that the government provide governance equally to all. This isn't judges suddenly changing the law, because in Canada there is no actual law saying marriage is opposite sex. It's something called "common law," essentially meaning it's just assumed. It's based on a court ruling from 1870 (or so). In the other eight provinces and three territories though, same-sex marriage remains impossible, because the federal laws have not yet been altered to match the requirements of the Charter.
Many conservative and religious groups are fighting, very hard, to prevent federal laws from being changed. This is for many different reasons, but many of them boil down to "because it's always been that way." Sadly, marriage used to be same-race only. And same-religion. And in Ontario before 1847, Catholic marriages used to be illegal. In fact, in Ontario it wasn't until 1950 that you were allowed to marry in a non-religious ceremony at all! Many of the arguments used against equal marriage today have already been used against interracial and interdenominational marriages.
Marriage is both a civil and a religious institution, and is treated differently by both. For example, the Catholic Church won't marry divorcées without an annulment, and many faiths require certain agreements before they will marry across denominations and faiths. Some faith groups worry that they will be forced to marry a same-sex couple -- but they've been regulating their own marriages for decades already, without trouble. Besides, why would a couple try to marry somewhere they're not welcome? Additionally, some faith groups accept same-sex marriage -- so their freedom of religion is currently being infringed! It's complicated, I agree, and I would never wish anyone to go against their faith. The Charter says that all religions are free to practice as they see fit, so faith groups are protected. But Canada is a secular country, and our supreme law, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, also says that everyone is equal. Therefore, our laws must reflect this.
Vinny and I have been together for over four years. We love each other very much, and plan to marry, buy a house, and live happily ever after -- the standard boring dream! Think of the joy that your relationships bring you, and ask if anyone should be denied that right because some conservative and religious groups disagree. Vinny and I plan to marry, and you're invited to the wedding. I hope you'll consider coming.
Right now, there's something you can do to help the cause of equal marriage in Canada. Visit http://www.equal-marriage.ca and write to your MP. You can actually write to all of them at once, if you want. You can also find out your MPs phone number, should you feel like calling them. Tell them that equality is important to you.
All my love,
Cameron
Hello family!
Everyone reading this message is a dear friend or loved one of mine. I cherish and value you all, more than I could ever tell you. I am writing because there is a huge debate going on across Canada right now, regarding who should have which rights, and who should not.
Most of you know that I'm gay. You met my boyfriend, Vinny, at the family reunion, and you've known me since somewhere between conception and birth, mostly. I believe that all Canadians should be treated equally under the law, and that includes equal access to a fundamental institution like marriage.
Same-sex marriage (*equal*, I call it) is legal in Canada. Right now. In Ontario and BC, courts have ruled that opposite-sex only marriage is illegal discrimination, since the Charter of Rights and Freedoms requires that the government provide governance equally to all. This isn't judges suddenly changing the law, because in Canada there is no actual law saying marriage is opposite sex. It's something called "common law," essentially meaning it's just assumed. It's based on a court ruling from 1870 (or so). In the other eight provinces and three territories though, same-sex marriage remains impossible, because the federal laws have not yet been altered to match the requirements of the Charter.
Many conservative and religious groups are fighting, very hard, to prevent federal laws from being changed. This is for many different reasons, but many of them boil down to "because it's always been that way." Sadly, marriage used to be same-race only. And same-religion. And in Ontario before 1847, Catholic marriages used to be illegal. In fact, in Ontario it wasn't until 1950 that you were allowed to marry in a non-religious ceremony at all! Many of the arguments used against equal marriage today have already been used against interracial and interdenominational marriages.
Marriage is both a civil and a religious institution, and is treated differently by both. For example, the Catholic Church won't marry divorcées without an annulment, and many faiths require certain agreements before they will marry across denominations and faiths. Some faith groups worry that they will be forced to marry a same-sex couple -- but they've been regulating their own marriages for decades already, without trouble. Besides, why would a couple try to marry somewhere they're not welcome? Additionally, some faith groups accept same-sex marriage -- so their freedom of religion is currently being infringed! It's complicated, I agree, and I would never wish anyone to go against their faith. The Charter says that all religions are free to practice as they see fit, so faith groups are protected. But Canada is a secular country, and our supreme law, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, also says that everyone is equal. Therefore, our laws must reflect this.
Vinny and I have been together for over four years. We love each other very much, and plan to marry, buy a house, and live happily ever after -- the standard boring dream! Think of the joy that your relationships bring you, and ask if anyone should be denied that right because some conservative and religious groups disagree. Vinny and I plan to marry, and you're invited to the wedding. I hope you'll consider coming.
Right now, there's something you can do to help the cause of equal marriage in Canada. Visit http://www.equal-marriage.ca and write to your MP. You can actually write to all of them at once, if you want. You can also find out your MPs phone number, should you feel like calling them. Tell them that equality is important to you.
All my love,
Cameron