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Nickatilynx · 07-20-2005

Senate passes same-sex legislation
Last updated Jul 20 2005 06:32 AM MDT
CBC News
Legislation giving same-sex couples the legal right to marry will become law after it receives royal assent as early as Wednesday.

In a late-night vote on Tuesday, the Senate approved the Liberal government's controversial Bill C-38 by a 47-21 vote. Three senators abstained.

The historic vote comes after gay and lesbian couples launched lawsuits in different provinces demanding the right to marry. Courts in seven provinces agreed that the traditional definition of marriage violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Liberal government responded to the first of those rulings – in Ontario in 2003 – by introducing legislation which was adopted last month in the House of Commons.

Alberta was one of the provinces that didn't allow same-sex marriage before the federal legislation.

Premier Ralph Klein initially vowed his government would fight allowing gays and lesbians to marry, but later said it would move to ensure those who oppose same-sex marriage can speak against it.

FROM JULY 12, 2005: Klein says Alberta will issue same-sex marriage licences
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has said he will bring back the same-sex debate if he's elected prime minister.

The bill will become law when it receives royal assent as early as Wednesday.

Once signed by the Governor General, Canada will follow the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain as countries legalizing gay marriage.

Senators rejected a Conservative motion stating the traditional definition of marriage is between a man and a woman, but that civil marriage is between two people.

"It would have brought a great deal of comfort to same-sex couples that they would not be perceived as having somehow gained their legitimate rights at the expense of those for whom the traditional marriage of a man and a woman was so terribly important," said Conservative Senator Noel Kinsella, who supported the amendment.

B.C. Senator Gerry St. Germain, an outspoken critic of the bill, fears judges are determining policies that should be decided by conscience.

"If we don't stop this I know what the next steps are. Euthanasia. Decriminalization of marijuana," St. Germain said.

But Senator Nancy Ruth, who voted for the bill, danced in the red chamber moments before the vote.

"There are some reasons to dance tonight and the whole country should be dancing," she said.

07-20-2005	#1
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	Senate passes same-sex legislation Last updated Jul 20 2005 06:32 AM MDT CBC News Legislation giving same-sex couples the legal right to marry will become law after it receives royal assent as early as Wednesday. In a late-night vote on Tuesday, the Senate approved the Liberal government's controversial Bill C-38 by a 47-21 vote. Three senators abstained. The historic vote comes after gay and lesbian couples launched lawsuits in different provinces demanding the right to marry. Courts in seven provinces agreed that the traditional definition of marriage violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Liberal government responded to the first of those rulings – in Ontario in 2003 – by introducing legislation which was adopted last month in the House of Commons. Alberta was one of the provinces that didn't allow same-sex marriage before the federal legislation. Premier Ralph Klein initially vowed his government would fight allowing gays and lesbians to marry, but later said it would move to ensure those who oppose same-sex marriage can speak against it. FROM JULY 12, 2005: Klein says Alberta will issue same-sex marriage licences Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has said he will bring back the same-sex debate if he's elected prime minister. The bill will become law when it receives royal assent as early as Wednesday. Once signed by the Governor General, Canada will follow the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain as countries legalizing gay marriage. Senators rejected a Conservative motion stating the traditional definition of marriage is between a man and a woman, but that civil marriage is between two people. "It would have brought a great deal of comfort to same-sex couples that they would not be perceived as having somehow gained their legitimate rights at the expense of those for whom the traditional marriage of a man and a woman was so terribly important," said Conservative Senator Noel Kinsella, who supported the amendment. B.C. Senator Gerry St. Germain, an outspoken critic of the bill, fears judges are determining policies that should be decided by conscience. "If we don't stop this I know what the next steps are. Euthanasia. Decriminalization of marijuana," St. Germain said. But Senator Nancy Ruth, who voted for the bill, danced in the red chamber moments before the vote. "There are some reasons to dance tonight and the whole country should be dancing," she said.