Canadian High Court OKs Same-Sex Marriage

[villagechild]

TORONTO - Canada's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that gay marriage was constitutional, a landmark opinion allowing the federal government to call on Parliament to legalize same-sex unions nationwide.

If approved by a majority of the House of Commons, as widely expected, Canada would become the third country to embrace marriage by homosexuals and lesbians. Belgium and the Netherlands are the other two. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=6&u=/ap/20041210/ap_on_re_ca/canada_same_sex_marriage

[tuvor]

1. Congrats on 100 posts

And welcome to DU!
:hi:

[villagechild]

5. thanks, good to be here

good news for Canada, good news for freedom.

[LibertyorDeath]

2. God damn I Love Canada

:party: :bounce::bounce::bounce: :party:

[darkism]

3. I'm so proud of our northern neighbours

At least there's SOME sanity on this continent.

[Stephanie]

4. Wow!

That's a big fuck you to the American Taliban.

[DCdem87]

6. OMG

Now I can just move to Canada and aviod the high property values of Massachusetts!!!!

[justinsb]

7. It still has to go through parliament

but it will, our court basically gave an opinion before the fact on the law they are going to introduce in January which is expected to pass without much difficulty. A big shout out to our friends in New Zealand who also green lighted same sex today. :toast:

[villagechild]

13. Critics

Critics say institution hijacked; gay marriage advocates see 'green light' ...

22 minutes ago

EDMONTON (CP) - Alberta, the province most vehemently opposed to same-sex marriage, set the stage for more legal battles Thursday following the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on the issue.

Justice Minister Ron Stevens acknowledged the province can't use the Constitution's notwithstanding clause to stop the federal government from redefining marriage. But he said for now, Alberta will not issue licences to same-sex couples - a position that is expected to spark court challenges by gays and lesbians. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=737&e=1&u=/cpress/20041210/ca_pr_on_na/same_sex_reaction

[justinsb]

16. If Albera really wants to spend their surplus

fighting endless court battles while the rest of Canada moves forward - that's their call.

[tuvor]

8. You may have to go to the frozen tundra, then.

They're among the highest on the continent in Toronto and Vancouver.

OTOH, it's much better on Vancouver Island! And the most temperate climate in all of Canada!

[arwalden]

9. Oh Canada... Show Us The Way... We Are A Backward Country...

... infested and ruled by the lunatic Christian right!

[tuvor]

11. We have our own nuts, too.

Chretien's recently been grilled for trying to get his son special treatment after he was convicted (I think) of sexual assault. Plus, as far as I'm concerned, he pretty much had the country on autopilot for umpteen years.

Could've been worse--we know that only too well--but I get embarrassed when you guys praise us as some kind of utopia. Because we're definitely not.

[sonicx]

14. well, when you see 11 states banning gay marriage (and civil unions)...

but you see the country right next to you legalize it, it really looks like utopia in comparison.

[tuvor]

17. I understand.

I guess the grass is greener on this side of the fence, but maybe not as green as you think. I'm sure if I paid as much attention to Canadian politics :D I could give you a list as long as my arm.

Also, what happens in the states often affects us so profoundly, so there's that to consider, too.

Not sayin' I'd trade places, but perspective's important.

[sonicx]

10. according to Jerry Farwell, God will let the terrists strike them for this

anyday now...:crazy:

[tuvor]

12. jerry falwell will come up here

and blow us all away in the name of the Lord.

God, how I hate him. He's not even worthy of being called a pharisee, because he actually makes rules up!

[justinsb]

15. Well...

I'll mention to people that we should reconsider so that Jerry won't sick God on us, but somehow I don't think they'll listen - although they might not be able to stop laughing long enough to actually vote on the law.

[Chipper Chat]

18. I pledge allegiance...to the flag....

of the United States of America. And to the Republicans, for which it stands, one nation, under God Bush, with liberty, and justice, for all heterosexuals."

[American liberal]

19. Them Canucks are making the great white north more enticing all the time

I know no country is perfect, but it sure sounds a lot more reasonable up there: Universal health care, less pollution, gay rights, prettier, cleaner cities...but can the economy support a bunch of angry expatriats? Would I have to marry a Canadian to be able to work there?

[billie_]

20. just fair...just equality...just common sense...which we seem to

have lost (hopefully, temporarily, in the USA)

Kudos to Canada....

when will we love and accept all?

when will we count votes?

when will we end war?

[Moderator]

21. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1057035