Gay-Marriage in California

[jbailey]

One of the proudest moments I had as a Canadian was sitting in the Senate visitor's gallery watching the debates on same-sex marriage that led to the full legalisation in Canada. In coming down to the US for work, I was sad to come to a place that not only didn't allow it, but had actually had a number of ballots in states voting specifically that the marriage referred to "One Man, One Woman".

I found a transcription of the Hansard of Prime Minister Paul Martin's introduction of Bill C-38 (The Civil Marriage Act). The logic in there for why Canada needed to legalise same-sex marriage is quite specific to Canada, but he talks about why it's important for the issue not to come to a vote:

The Charter was enshrined to ensure that the rights of minorities are not subjected, are never subjected, to the will of the majority. The rights of Canadians who belong to a minority group must always be protected by virtue of their status as citizens, regardless of their numbers. These rights must never be left vulnerable to the impulses of the majority.

I don't really understand the US system of rights. I hope that the protection of the right to love another consenting adult and make a commitment to them becomes the law of the land throughout the United States.

I love being married. I get the joy of being able to come home to my belle and share my day, spend time, and know that to the best of our ability, we're going to try to grow old together. I'm so happy that this ruling has come down and that in California the debate is now over.

Comments

[mmmmtino.livejournal.com]

It's not the U.S. system of rights that's flawed or strange, it's how that system gets twisted by politics. All people in the U.S. are guaranteed "equal protection under the law" by our Constitution. How someone can argue that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is in keeping with this provision, I will never understand. How a judge can buy that argument is even more puzzling.

m

[macoafi.livejournal.com]

They argue "but they DO have the same rights! Gay men have just as much right to marry women as straight men!" Being allowed to marry the person you love, though, no, that would be "special rights"...though straight men would be granted the right to marry other men if they wanted to as well, so I think it'd still be equal...

[wonderbadger]

I really dig being married, too. And I take great joy in displaying my marriage certificate on the wall. Canada is such a great place to live. :)

[angorian.livejournal.com]

I think one the really important aspects of marriage that you don't get from other partnerships is that community recognition and support of your relationship. Even if you're a very happy twosome, it makes a difference if the people around you look down on your partnership as less valuable or even destructive. That's what's so sad about the States voting to exclude same-sex couples from marriage. We should be supporting loving relationships as that leads to loving communities and hopefully a trickle-up effect to a more loving world.

[jbailey.livejournal.com]

Did you find that even in Montréal? Couples there often don't get married, and I remember our downstairs neighbour finding it really odd that Angie and I were married. His comment (en Français) was "Here in Québec, we don't usually get married until the second one is on it's way"

[angorian.livejournal.com]

It's a bit more subtle in Montréal because of the prevalence of common-law spouses. But there's still an extra weight that people assign to the relationship.

[geraldobintun.livejournal.com]

"Whilst there is still more work to do, in recent years mental health services have become increasingly responsive to the needs and wishes of the people who use them.

[tonyyarusso.livejournal.com]

Summary of the US system of rights: There aren't any. We have some written into the Constitution, but consider them "suggestions", and are free to make up exceptions whenever it's convenient. We will however use them to bitch about things we don't like, even when they have absolutely nothing to do with the right as stated. Oh, and if you're a minority, forget about it.

Oh, Canada!

(Speaking as a US national who briefly lived in Canada, but is not back Stateside for the immediate future, but would like to return.)