Canada: Don't Back Out on Same-Sex Marriage
Canada may fail to recognize the legality of as many as 5,000 same-sex marriages held there since 2004.
Only those considered legal in a person's home country, will also be recognized in Canada, if a Toronto court decides so.
According to the Globe and Mail, the issue came up when a couple now living outside Canada tried to file for divorce in Toronto where they married, and a Department of Justice lawyer argued that the marriage wasn't legal in the first place.
Despite this argument, Prime Minister Harper insists Canada doesn't intend to reopen the debate against same-sex marriage. But CBC News says government documents were released that may contradict Harper's reassurances.
Shocked to learn of the Justice Department's stance, the attorney for the couple seeking divorce told CBC Radio she hoped it would not be successful. "If it is it will be a significant embarrassment to us all."
Tell Canada not to backpedal on the legality of same-sex marriage.
We, the undersigned, insist Canada stand firm on its protection of the legality of same-sex marriages held there.
We believe the confusion over the divorce issue can be easily remedied without negating the thousands of marriages that have been legalized in Canada since 2004.
Please inform your Department of Justice that the 2004 law stands, and refuse to uphold any argument to the contrary.
We agree with those who say that any success of that flawed argument would bring "significant embarrassment" to a nation that has "...been a leader in equality rights for gays and lesbians since this issue became an international one" (Martha McCarthy, attorney for the couple seeking divorce).
We ask that you please do not backpedal on the legality of same-sex marriage, and we appreciate your serious attention to this request.
