I've read many arguments written by people
who oppose same gender marriage and the attempt to change the
legal definition of marriage. I've also heard arguments in the
past opposing equality of rights and freedoms for other
minorities. In my opinion, all of these arguments either
disguise a prejudice, or seek to impose traditional or selected
religious beliefs on minorities.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
attempts to acknowledge equality for people long discriminated
against; it does not deny rights to those who already enjoy
them.
Whether a couple is of the same gender, race,
colour or creed; they have the same right to enter into legal
contracts as any other couple. To define a contract of any sort
in terms of gender, or any other category protected under the
code, would qualify it as different rather than equal, and thus
would contradict and violate the intended protective statutes
purported in the code.
Whether a marriage is between straight or gay
couples, it is never the less a legal contract with the exact
same expectations, obligations and
commitments, which fall under the Marriage
Act.
As a humanist officiant, I am proud to
support the changes to the Marriage Act, and the necessary
changes to facilitate inclusiveness. It is a positive step
toward the separation of church and state which is essential to
promote true equality of all humans.
Sheila McKillop
Sudbury