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Advocacy News - Events
- Freedom to Marry Day in Canada January
14, 2005 Freedom
to Marry Day in Canada
3rd
annual Valentine's Day actions & celebrations
Today
is the fourth anniversary of Canada's first legal
same-sex marriages yet some regions of Canada are still violating the Charter
rights of gays and lesbians by denying them the freedom to marry. This web site
launched the Freedom to Marry Valentine's Day actions in Canada three years ago,
working with partners in the U.S. and Canada. Our work is not yet finished.
Justice-seeking
Canadians in Alberta, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the territories
of Nunavut and Northwest Territories are urged to take part in: World
Freedom to Marry Day,
February 14, 2005,
Valentine's Day. Canadians
living in provinces with equal marriage rights are being urged to celebrate publicly,
create an event, or attend a local Metropolitan Community Church or other church
which celebrates same-sex marriages. Other
Canadians are being urged once again to show up at local marriage license offices
to request the right to be married legally. Even if people have no desire to marry,
the real issue is the right to marry. | |
World
Freedom to Marry Day is now an international movement by individuals committed
to equality, dignity and respect for human rights and same-sex marriage. The day
of action has been led in the U.S. by Rev. Troy Perry, Moderator of Metropolitan
Community Churches, who will again conduct a demonstration at a Los Angeles court
house February 14, 2005. Rev.
Perry married Philip Ray Deblieck in Toronto in 2003 and is suing the state
of California to recognize the marriage.  It's
easy to take action in your community - just show up at your local marriage office,
alone or with your spouse, family and friends. Then, cheerfully and respectfully
ask for the right to be married - just like other couples have elsewhere. Or ask
to apply for a marriage license.
Expect
to be turned away, but promise to return in 2006, 2007 and 2008, or until equality
is achieved. Invite
your local news media. Noon is a good time to conduct this event to allow for
live local TV coverage on the noon news. Do
not become angry - anger is the tool of the enemy. Be  respectful
of heterosexual couples at the marriage offices, and do not attack the officials
in the office who do not make the rules. Expect respect and if you don't get respect,
complain. Ask
for police protection, if required. Seek out local politicians who support you
and invite them to attend the event. Let
us know your plans at Equal
Marriage For Same-Sex Couples (equalmarriage.ca | samesexmarriage.ca).
Make plans for Valentine's Day, February 14, 2005. Celebrate your love, your relationships
and your right to equal marriage. Check
out what's being done elsewhere in the world at mccchurch.org
or freedomtomarry.org.
Celebrations
and Protests Moncton,
New Brunswick  Within
hours of announcing the 3rd annual Valentine's Day of action and celebration,
gay marriage advocates in Moncton, New Brunswick confirmed plans to take part
in Freedom to Marry day on February 14. Art and Wayne Toole were legally married
in Ontario and they have been in a battle for recognition with New Brunswick ever
since.
Read "Freedom
to marry day in New Brunswick" | 
