Equal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples | Advocacy Events

Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell are available for speaking engagements customized to the needs of audiences and organizations. Arrangements and bookings are managed by:

Speakers' Spotlight
179 John Street, Suite 201
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1X4
Voice: 416-345-1559 | Fax: 416-345-9589
email: info@speakers.ca

A vigil is planned to take place on Friday, November 28, beginning at 7 p.m., in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The vigil is taking place in response to the attack on member of parliament Andy Scott. The accused assailant was on a crusade against same-sex marriage. Defenders of equality and civil rights are asked to gather at the Justice Building on Queen Street in Fredericton for five minutes of silence, followed by speakers.

Toronto, Ontario: Equality Now, a coalition of community, labour and student activists, is planning a rally at the Federal Liberal leadership convention in defense of same-sex marriage. The event begins at 6 p.m. at the southwest corner of Church and Wellesley in the heart of the gay village. Supporters will gather and then march to the Air Canada Centre at 40 Bay Street (York Street entrance) where a rally begins at 7:30 p.m.

Toronto, Ontario: We will be delivering lectures to nursing students at George Brown College.

Hamilton, Ontario: McMaster University's Gay Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender Centre will be hosting a same-sex marriage forum beginning at 7:00 p.m. The evening will consist of 5 panel presentations and a chance for the audience to ask questions and an open discussion. The event takes place at McMaster University, Room Togo Salmon Hall 120. For further info contact glbt@msu.mcmaster.ca

Fredericton, New Brunswick: Anti-gay religious extremists are planning a rally against same-sex marriage at the provincial legislature beginning at noon. In response, advocates for justice and equality plan to be present to counter the voices of intolerance. Please join equal marriage supporters at the Tim's, King and Regent, at 11:15 a.m. or at the legislature at noon. Contact SarahRose for further info.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Equality Forum, host of an annual GLBT symposium and festival, has invited us to appear at a press conference in Philadelphia on October 16, at 3:00 p.m. to discuss plans for 2004. Equality Forum focuses on regional, national and international organizations and their issues.

Braselton, Georgia - We are thrilled to be participating as panelists in the Gill Foundation's OutGiving 2003 conference scheduled from Septmeber 18 to 21.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Evan Wolfson and will include domestic partners B. Koebke and Kendall French and their Lambda Legal counsel, Jon Davidson, as panelists. B. and Kendall are currently appealing a court decision that denies them equal access to a golf membership at a San Diego country club.

Same-sex marriage activists and disgruntled Liberal voters have launched Liberals For Layton. The group will make a news media announcement on Tuesday, calling for the immediate resignation of Toronto-Danforth Member of Parliament Dennis Mills for his failure to protect the rights of the many gays and lesbians in his riding. Further actions are planned against other Liberal M.P.s.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Witness our Welcome is an ecumenical gathering of sexually and gender inclusive Christians from Canada and the United States. There will be two opportunities to attend a workshop we will be conducting on Saturday, August 16, based on our book Just Married: Gay Marriage and the Expansion of Human Rights. Join us as we explore the legal, personal, social, and spiritual aspects of our journey to full and equal marriage. Our emphasis in all these aspects will be from a faith-based perspective.

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
August 14 to 17, 2003
Join our workshop:
Just Married: Gay Marriage and the Expansion of Human Rights
August 16, 2:00 - 3:30 PM
or
August 16, 3:45 - 5:15 PM
Myerson Hall B7
Registration Information

While the Klein government has maintained they will do all that is necessary to ensure traditional marriage remains the exclusive purview of heterosexual men and women, not all Albertans are in agreement with that stance. Daniella Kirst wanted to do something to counteract the rhetoric of the Klein government, so she decided to organize a rally. This is her first foray into the realm of activism.

"Everyone should have a choice [whether to marry or not]. That is what Canada is about - freedom and choice. I can't believe Alberta continues to fight on these sorts of issues", said Kirst in a media release.

A petition in favour of equal marriage will be circulated and guest speakers will appear at the event.

August 10, 2003
Beginning at 2:00 p.m.
In front of the Premier's Southern Office - McDougall Centre
(455 - 6 St. SW)
Calgary, Alberta

Montreal, Quebec - Join us at the Divers/Cit�'s Montr�al Pride parade as we march for equal marriage. Last year, Michael Hendricks and Ren� Leboeuf came to the Toronto Pride parade to show their solidarity for the Ontario marriage case. This year, we will be in Montr�al with the couple in support of their Quebec marriage case. Lawyer Douglas Elliott from the Ontario marriage case will join us. You can too! Contact us to participate.

Sunday, August 3, 2021
Departure at noon, from the corner of Guy and Ren�-L�vesque.

Saint John, New Brunswick, is hosting their first Pride parade this year. We are grateful for another opportunity to return to this city, as parade marshalls. We found an energized community six months ago, and many are even more so following the recent comments by the hometown Member of Parliament, Elsie Wayne.

Friday, July 25: Panel discussion on GLBTQ issues with moderator Sharon Flatt and special guests: Michelle, Kevin Bourassa, Joe Varnell, and others at Spy Bar, Dorchester Street, Saint John.

Thank you to Daniel Jardine, and the Port City Rainbow Pride team for this invitation.Thanks to Carl Trickey and Jim Crooks, Mahogany Manor,
Saint John, New Brunswick, for the generous provision of transportation and accommodation.

Halifax, Nova Scotia - We are grateful to have received an invitation to be Grand Marshalls in this year's Halifax Pride parade on Saturday July 19. We will share this honour with Nicky and Sue Perkins, one of the first three couples to register their domestic partnership in Nova Scotia (along with Kim Vance and her partner Sam and Ross Boutilier and his partner Brian Mombourquette). The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Our thanks to Kara Redden & Raymond Taavel, co-chairs Halifax Pride 2003.

We met with wonderful people, and controversy, when we attended last year's London Pride as grand marshals, just two days after the historic Ontario court victory. This year, we are thrilled to return to continue our advocacy of same-sex marriage. Join us for some speaking engagements produced by London Pride Events Inc.: free with admission to the Western Fair Grounds (a $5 donation is requested at the entrance to the gounds). Then on Sunday, we return, once again, to proudly serve as Grand Marshals for the parade. Thanks to Bill Worrall, Kathleen Holland, and London Pride 2003.

External link to the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto

Join a celebration of the marriage victory with an annual Pride Day service on Church Street. The celebratory service will start at 11: a.m. on the south stage, across from Maple Leaf Gardens. Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes will lead a Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto service with special guests in attendance.

We were planning to return with an entry in the Toronto Pride parade representing Equal Marriage For Same-Sex Couples, thanks to the generous assistance of supporters (see list at left). But our world has been changing almost every day, as events quickly unfold in the flurry of activity following the Ontario appeal decision. We recieved a call and email from organizers of the Toronto parade:

We're honoured to accept and thrilled that the Parade Coordinators will bring everyone together. Please meet us at the corner of Church and Bloor streets by 1:00 p.m. There will be volunteers around to give directions.

We thank our supporters. Funds already raised will go towards last year's parade float deficit.

June 21, 2003

Moncton Pride Honours Same-sex Couples

The Moncton Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Committee is honored to announce that Yvonne & Diane Zoryi will be our "Parade Marshals" in our fourth annual gay pride parade. Yvonne & Diane, a couple for 32 years from Italy Cross, Nova Scotia was very excited and honored to be asked to head up this year's parade. The couple will be celebrating their 33rd anniversary on November 25, 2003.

The Moncton, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Committee, in a year of great publicity surrounding same-sex marriage is very much looking forward to having Yvonne & Diane with them. This is a clear and concrete indication of the longevity of same sex couples right across the country. The couple was located as a result of a contest promoted by Moncton Pride, and sponsored by Triangles Bar, Rainbow Gift Shop, and Auberge Au Bois Dormant Inn.

For more information please contact the Moncton Pride Committee's PR Dept. at (506) 863-1888 or by email to pr@monctonrainbowalliance.com.

June 18, 2003

Reading Just Married at Markham Library
The Elsie Wayne Pride Tour
We won't shut up and stay home

We will be reading from our book Just Married: Gay Marriage and the Expansion of Human Rights at the Markham Community Library on Wednesday, June 18, 2021 beginning at 7 p.m. The reading will include a Q & A session. The evening is free and produced by Pride York Region (Donations to Pride York Region are encouraged).

Markham Community Library, Lunau Room
6031 Highway 7, Markham, Ontario (905-513-7977)
Southeast corner of Highways 7 and 48

June 12, 2003

The Battle for Same-Sex Marriage
The Elsie Wayne Pride Tour
We won't shut up and stay home

Hamilton, Ontario - Join us for a free, public panel discussion about same-sex marriage. The evening is produced by Hamilton Pride Festival Inc. and hosted at the Centenary United Church. We will be sharing our reasons for embracing marriage with others who hold a variety of opinions. Other participants include Douglas Elliott, lead counsel for the legal team (McGowan Elliott & Kim) representing the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto in the marriage case.

Centenary United Church - Left side entrance
24 Main Street West (corner McNab Street)
June 12, 2003 - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

March 10, 2003

The Fraternity Presents
The fight for equal marriage

Toronto - The Fraternity, a networking organization for gay business professionals, has invited us to speak about the fight for equal marriage (filling in for Industry Minister Allan Rock). The evening is open to the public: all are welcome.

Monday, March 10, 2021 - 6 to 9 p.m.
The Courtyard Marriott Hotel - Toronto
475 Yonge Street (north of College)
$25 Member | $35 Nonmember | $20 Student
Buffet included
No preregistration required, however please email jonathans@thefraternity.ca (without obligation) to help the organizers plan seating and catering needs.

March 8, 2003

Spinlaw presents Borders and Boundaries

We will be speaking about same-sex marriage at Spinlaw's conference, Borders and Boundaries, in Toronto. We will be discussing our book, Just Married: Gay Marriage and the Expansion of Human Rights, and our experience at the centre of the legal challenge to end marriage discrimination. In particular, we will discuss the ongoing marriage hearing that is being conducted by parliament's Standing Committee on Justice & Human Rights.

Plenary Session
Rooms 308/309 - Toronto Metro Hall
March 8, 2021 - 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

The 3rd annual public interest law symposium is hosted by students of the University of Toronto Law School and Osgoode Hall Law School. Please join us at this affordable event ($5.00).

March 7, 2003

Perspectives on Same-Sex Marriage

Toronto - Join us for a free, public panel discussion about same-sex marriage. The evening is hosted by Affirm United and the Affirming Congregation Network. We will be sharing our reasons for embracing marriage with same-sex couples who oppose marriage as an option for gays and lesbians. The United Church recently endorsed equal marriage at the Parliamentary hearings - Richard Chambers (national United Church of Canada staff) will discuss the church's position.

Trinity St. Paul's United Church - Fireside Room
427 Bloor Street West (At Robert St., near Spadina subway)
March 7, 2003 - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

February 14, 2003

Valentine's Day - Free to Marry

Couples have answered the call for action on Valentine's Day. First our friends in Toronto, then New Brunswick was the first to respond to our internet posting. We've learned that couples in Moncton and Fredericton are preparing to exercise their right to marriage. Supporters have stepped forward, with more to come. As this action becomes local for each community, the media are telling the stories of our lives, in local voices with local resonance.