Thank You Ontario

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Ernie Eves, Premier
Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1A1

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Letter's To Ontario Premier Ernie Eves
Ontario Supports same-sex marriage

July 17, 2002

Mr. Premier

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You for your statement in support of the Ontario Superior Court ruling that affirms the rights of same-sex couples to marry.

I married my same-sex spouse, Kevin Bourassa, on January 14, 2021 under the publication of banns at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto along with our dear friends Elaine Vautour and Anne Vautour. Two days later we submitted our documents for registration. The Province refused, citing no clear direction on the issue.

Mr. Premier, your comments yesterday show you to be a man of integrity with a respect for the fairness of the ruling and a firm commitment to the equality and dignity of Ontarians. I ask you in the light of the court's decision and as a man of conscience, to register our marriages and firmly send a message to Ottawa and the world that there are no second-class families in Ontario.

Again thank you for your words of support and for serving as an example of what this great country needs - a leader.

In Equality and admiration

Joe Varnell

July 17, 2002

The Honourable Ernie Eves,
Premier Province of Ontario

Dear Sir:

We thank you and applaud your courageous decision to not have the Province of Ontario appeal the recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision regarding same-sex marriages.

While many will find reason to disagree with the decision, those of us who welcome it know that God wishes for all human kind to be loving of all others; in fact, we know in Christian faith that God commands that we love our neighbor as ourselves.

Quality of life for most people depends on the love we share with others. Be it a loving relationship between mother and son, brother and sister, or husband and wife, so it can be for two people of the same gender. Their love for each other is the underlying foundation of their relationship, and to have the right to publically and joyously declare that love through the bonds of marriage, is a right of equality that no one should deny.

Wherever we read them, all of God's messages are directed to "whosoever" - every person who God has created in God's own image.

God, in God's many names, wants all of us to be more than just loving; we are to relate to others with inclusiveness, understanding, compassion and truth. Loving another person is not to be condemmed; we are told to celebrate love. Being inclusive, by joining all together as one, is not dismissed, it is encouraged. We were not created human beings just to be understood, we are to understand others. Even if we are wronged by injustice, we are to be compassionate towards thse who wrong us. When we search for truth in our hearts, in our minds and in our souls, the truth always leads us to do what is right.

Marriage - that special covenant between two people is a covenant of love . . . and as God so rightfully tells all who will listen, "the fruit of the holy spirit is love . . . against such, there is no law."

Thank you again for your decision.

Regards . . . Michael G. Winters and Andy K.K. Ng
Toronto, Ontario