Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples | Advocacy News | Party planned for Dec. 9 court decision

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Advocacy Events - Party planned for Dec. 9 court decision

December 7, 2004

Party planned for Dec. 9 court decision
"The recognition of human dignity and equality"

Join us as same-sex marriage activists and supporters gather at a noon-hour party on December 9th, 2004 after the Canadian Supreme Court brings down its decision on same-sex marriage. Celebrate the ongoing creation of a just society.

Rev. Brent Hawkes, Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell (Photo by MCC Toronto, 2001) Activists, their lawyers, friends and families, will be at Woody's, 467 Church Street for media availability, including Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell, and Ann and Elaine Vautour, the world's first legally married same-sex couples (January 14, 2001 in Toronto).

Other confirmed participants include:

Rev. Barbara McDowall and Gail Donnelly, also from the landmark Ontario marriage case.
equality activists Christine Beckermann and Michelle Robidoux.
gay marriage advocates George Olds and Ian Taylor.
Lawyer Bruce E. Walker, founder of Toronto's largest Christmas Eve service (Roy Thomson Hall).
Rev. Cheri De Novo.
Dennis O'Connor, Chair, Church Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area.
Bruce McDonald, Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

"Ontario Chief Justice Roy McMurtry recently said (the Globe and Mail, Dec. 4, 2004) that the main issue in the same-sex marriage debate was "the recognition of human dignity and equality".

On December 9, the Canadian Supreme Court is expected to re-affirm the dignity and equality that defines Canadian values," says Ian Taylor, event organizer.

"Thursday's decision will send a strong message to Liberal politicians," says Kevin Bourassa. "The issue is the Trudeau Charter of Rights and Freedoms, now recognized in 7 provinces and territories."

Canadian marriage advocates celebrate the existence of marriage equality in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, the Yukon, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.

On December 9, we celebrate the Canadian government's promise to act without further delay in ending the discrimination that is maintained by provincial justice ministers in Canada's have-not provinces and territories: Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland/Labroadour, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Church Wellesley Village Welcomes Supreme Court Decision

Businesses in the Church Wellesley Village are inviting Torontonians to celebrate human dignity and equality by visiting the neighbourhood this weekend, following the Supreme Court of Canada decision on same-sex marriage.

"This is like winning the world cup of soccer, and heading to one of Toronto's ethnic areas" says Dennis O'Connor, chair of the Church Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area.

Starting at noon Thursday, businesses are inviting the city to shop, dine and celebrate in the Church and Wellesley area.

Dennis O'Connor,
Church Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area

For further information please contact Bruce Walker at the Bruce E. Walker Law Office: 416-961-7451.