General Chat

Hi there Patty, dont think we have chatted before, it is relly nice to meet you too. Kaz xx

Hi Kaz, don't know if we've chatted on threads before, but we are now so pleased to meet you. Patty

Hello All, just read this thread. I am going to be honest here, i am in a same sex relationship, i have been for 6years now. I was married and have 3 children as was my partner who has 2 children. We are both very happy and our children live here with us, we do not display anything in front of them what so ever, all the children are very happy, the youngest is 9yrs and the oldest is 21yrs, there is also a grandson to my partner who is here visiting on a regular basis, he loves us both to bites. If it was possible for myself and my partner to be married we would go ahead and do it as we have discussed it many a time, even though we are not we are still very committed to each and very very happy together, its the best thing i have done! I hope anyone who chats to me isnt affended or stops chatting to me now i have been honest. Kaz xx

For Joy - You are certainly 'allowed' to hold and present differing views on this topic, or any other thread (topic) with my name at the top. For everyone - The topic I entered for consideration and discussion by my fellow members, was one relating to constitutional law and it's subsequent removal or granting of a right which in turn relates to a civil right or freedom enjoyed, in this particular case, by Canadians and protected by our Charter. As Albertan has already pointed out, in his wonderfully objective and non-confrontational contributions to this discussion. The heart of the matter for many Canadians, is the re-defining of the term marriage for the purpose of protecting the right of all otherwise unimpeded citizens to enter into a civily contracted union. Albertan has presented his arguments without once compromising his own integrity or anyone else's dignity. It is my perogative to maintain the topic presented for discussion and politely request members who submit another topic for discussion, to please stay on track. It is also my perogative to delete a thread should I consider any remark deliberately offending or infringing on the rights of others. If anyone objects to this - tough. Patty

I wonder if the Gay community will be satisfied with that. Or are we next going to see plural single sex marriages because some smartaleck notices that all the laws forbidding Bigamy state that no man may marry more than one wife, or no woman may marry more than one husband?

I have got to be perfectly honest here I have not always been tolerant to gay people.But over the last twenty years or so I am now totally happy about it in a way Ive grown up and now believe in live and let live. I have a very good gay friend who is one of the nicest and funniest people you will ever meet. Im digressing from the question really here I do believe in same sex UNIONS and that they should be able to get a blessing in Church or Registrar wherever they choose. But it is not a MARRIAGE a marriage is a joining of a woman and a man not two people of the same sex they will have to coin a different word for it because the dictionary doesnt define Marriage as two people of the same sex. Davex

Thanks for that Patty:) It's admirable that some countries are making such a momentous move towards equality. The UK is slowly on the way with the Civil Partnership Register coming into force in December but we're not doing as well as you yet:) David

I am religious within boundaries, I may not believe everything that has been written in black and white about religion, but I do believe in it. Same sex marriages? why not? What difference does it truly make? Who would this actually be hurting? Anyone who has views that it should not be.. think into the future, your children, grandchildren, even great grandchildren.. Say one of them is gay, falls deeply in love with their partner, and is then told that they cannot marry them, due to a law! How would you feel then? Do we not strive to make our children the happiest in life they can be? Brian... Your comment about a woman's fantasy of being raped, is not shared by all women, of that I can assure you! With respect Maz x

Hi everyone, I think that from December this year, same sex couples can have a civil ceremony in a registry office or a licensed building in this country. My sister in law and her partner are getting 'married' next summer and I am very happy that they are now able to do so. It is very important to them that they have the same rights regarding next of kin etc, especially as not all of the famliy accept my sister in laws choice of partner. Louisex

I am all for tolerance, but hope that one is allowed to have differing views about this matter on this thread? Joy

Spain has legalized same sex marriages now. Expected to take force within 30 days. Quite unexpected from a catholic country apparently.

I'm a Lumberjack and I'm O.K......... Seriously folks, we all have our own ideas as to what is right and what is wrong, what is abhorrent and what is acceptable. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that the Basic precept of a Democracy was that the Majority rule? Too many Governments these days bow to the wishes of the Vociferous Minorities. The so-called Sexual Revolution has, in my opinion, diminished Morality, and is the cause of many nasty diseases. If same sex 'couples' wish to live together and share their lives I believe that they should have the same 'rights' as others in respect of inheritance etc, and a Civil Registration of their wishes is a good thing but it is not Marriage. Then again, a Marriage, stripped of the Traditional additional (and expensive) trappings we have today, consists of two statements made in front of a Registrar. The first is the 'I know not of any Lawful impediment.....' The second is 'I call upon these persons here present to witness that I xxxxx take thee xxxxx to be my.....'

Hi Deb - I'm so sorry. I was referring to British law, oops. xx

The Little Oxford Dictionary (1987) says: Marriage - a condition of man and woman legally united for the purpose of living together - (I suppose this has now been rewritten for the 2005 edition!) Couldn't same sex couples and hetro couples living together, have their own 'ceremony of commitment'? Bit like couples now having a 'naming' ceremony for their babies, instead of a Christening? Life has certainly changed in last fifty years! Lily

Hi Bendy Wendy, I am sure (but don't quote me!) that same sex couples here DO have rights to pensions and property intestate. I know for a fact, that my company permits same sex partners being on each others medical/dental plans and life insurance. They are classed as a spouse. After 2 years of common law marriage (hetrosexual), a partner has as much legal right as a couple who are married by law. I'm sure that this also applies to gay couples. Someone mentioned polygamy. There is a community here in BC called Bountiful. The people are an off shoot of the Mormon Church, yes the same one that helps us all with our research! Google 'Bountiful BC' if you are interested. Deb TTK (The Thread Killer)

Thanks Patsy for a wonderful thread. It just goes to show that a serious debate can be held on GR without reverting to recriminations and people being hurt. You are all a great bunch of guys with so many salient points made. However we are getting a little off track.. Canada already HAS a Charter of Rights and Freedoms – superior, I believe, to any other country. No matter what your sexual preferences – all have the same RIGHTS! The bill just being passed is stated to be “The same sex MARRIAGE act” and has nothing to do with civil rights. It simply means that a same gender couple can take vows and wear a ring. Little else changes. No matter what others think about polls one has only to listen to conversations amongst neighbors, friends, meetings or wherever, unless it is in a gay bar or wherever gay people are predominant the general consensus is that the majority of Canadians are not in favor of the Act. There was NOT a free vote in Parliament and even one Liberal member left the caucus to vote against his party – which will have serious repercussions for him. He voted the way his constituents told him. Unless you follow Canadian politics and the goings on in the past few weeks you can never understand. There is nothing wrong with homosexuality. We have a very happy couple in our family and whom we love dearly. That said, the definition of MARRIAGE is a union between a man and a woman, and to include any other combination degrades the sanctity of marriage. A civil ceremony between a man and a woman is still a ‘marriage’. (Check out BMDUK). Sure, we should all look to the future but because of the way things are shaping up I fear for the future. Morals have declined; too many want RIGHTS but not the responsibility that goes with those rights. How many on here have complained on other threads about the ‘happy slappings’, unruly youth etc. Things that did not happen when you were younger - lack of consideration, manners. etc. I care not what your preferences are, whether it be color or gender, and I will defend your right to hold your views but I and many others have different views and I also defend the right to say that not all the ‘new’ ideas are for the good of all. I can see Canadian lawyers having a field day in the not too distant future.

In all honesty I cannot back same-sex marriage BUT I do believe that same sex couples should be given the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples. Gay partners have no rights to pension or to property under intestacy and this does need to be addressed along with many other inequalities. Heterosexual couples who choose not to marry must take their chances. Having read some of these comments so far I have to say that the best way to persuade someone of your point of view is not to sneer at them or argue black and white. That only serves to put backs up and entrench already held views. Apart from one person the anti messages so far appear to be personal rather than well thought out rational opinions.

Well, it's approaching midnight, here... It's been interesting to see some civil argument (LOL). Interesting, too, to see how tolerant most replies have been. As a hetero and married man, I don't feel threatened, and nor do I feel my marriage threatened, by any sort of union, homo- or heterosexual, civil or religious... So long as the arrangements are consentual, that is. It seems more important to me to decry (at the least) forced marriages, and/or coercive or violent ones. But that is getting off topic. Goodnight, all. Thanks, Patty. Michael

Brian (i) Was there some point to your comment about my dog walking habits?? As in 'But' But what???? As Deb pointed out, not all of us live in the same time zone, regardless of that when I choose to take my dog out for a poop is hardly any of your business, is it??? Patty

Having read all the replies on here....my opinion does not change from what it's always been and that is let every man or women live their life as they choose as long as it doesn't involve violence of any kind, theft of any kind, or forcing their ways upon an unwilling party. In other words each to their own way. Like Pat I like think I do not discriminate against anyone or anything and this is the way my daughters were brought up. I too had Civil marriages (2), this was my choice as I do not adhere to the teachings in the Bible (written by man!) and churches run on these teachings. If couples wish to spend their lives together with or without the marriage vows so be it. If couples are man/women or same sex....so be it. 'Cos the times they are a changing....... Jacquie xxx