Same Sex Marriages

There has been a lot of news lately about same sex marriages. Quebec became the third province whose courts allow same sex marriages, following the lead of Ontario and British Columbia. We have all seen the news with Rosie O'Donnell marrying her same sex partner in San Francisco 2 weeks ago. The news has shown several ceremonies where same sex partners have gotten married. It has been big news.

The Quebec Court of Appeal yesterday upheld a ruling of the lower courts allowing same sex marriages. The appellate court made its judgment applicable immediately, lifting a two-year suspension set in the initial ruling to give the federal government time to redefine marriage. The latest decision goes even further, calling it improper that gays can marry only in the provinces -- Ontario, British Columbia and now Quebec -- where court challenges to the marriage laws have taken place.

Gay-rights groups cited the decision and the fact that same-sex marriages are now legal in the three most populous provinces in urging the federal government and the rest of the provinces to follow suit.

The institution of marriage has been in a state of conflict for centuries:


It was only after the civil war that Afro-Americans were allowed to marry in all areas of the U.S.

It was only after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1967 that mixed race couples could marry anywhere in the U.S.

But, until recently, same-sex couples could not marry anywhere in the world.


This final restriction was lifted during April, 2001 when Holland enlarged its definition of marriage to include both opposite-sex and same sex couples. Belgium followed suit during January, 2003. Next came Ontario, Canada in June, 2003. Finally, on July 9, 2003 same-sex marriage became permitted in both the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Lately in March, 2004 Quebec followed suit. Any adult couple -- same-sex or opposite-sex -- from any country can come to one of these two provinces, buy a marriage license and get married. Same-sex marriages are expected to be legal and available across the entire country sometime in 2004.

The government of Taiwan is drafting legislation to legalize gay marriages. It should be ready for parliamentary review in June, 2004.

Some political confines have special legislation that allows gay and lesbian couples to register their committed relationship and gain some benefits, however, they do not receive all of the advantages that opposite-gender couples automatically acquire when they marry. These areas include most of the Scandinavian nations, the state of Vermont in the U.S. (where the arrangement is called a civil union), a few other U.S. states, and a few provinces in Canada.

Many people believe that same-sex marriage -- or its equivalent under another name -- will eventually become available to all loving, committed adult couples throughout North America and western Europe, whether they be same-sex or opposite-sex spouses.

My personal take on all this is who cares? If 2 loving adults want to get married, let them get married. Who cares if they are a heterosexual couple, same-sex couple or an interracial couple? If 2 people want to be married that is their choice. My only problem with same-sex marriages is that I don't believe that they should be allowed in the church where the bible condemns homosexuality. The church marriage should be left for those opposite-sex couples that want religion as a part of their marriage. For all others it should be the Justice of the Peace.

What do the rest of you think? Give me your thoughts and comments on this current event. To comment go to EclecticBlogs and let me know you came from this link.