7 Nfld. marriage commissioners quit over same-sex issue One in every 10 marriage commissioners in Newfoundland and Labrador has resigned, saying they won’t perform ceremonies for same-sex couples. (CBC)
Adoption change to follow gay marriage? Adoption rights for homosexuals could become Canada’s next equality battle. In Alberta, gays and lesbians are only permitted to adopt their partner’s child—not the child of a third party. Yukon’s adoption laws are ambiguous, while homosexual couples are denied adoption rights in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nunavut. NDP MP Libby Davies said if same-sex marriage rights are extended across Canada, uniform adoption rights must follow. (Canoe.ca)
Justice Minister Says No Referendum On Same-Sex Justice Minister Irwin Cotler says there will be no national referendum on same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, three more Conservative MPs say they will vote for the same-sex legislation. Gerald Keddy, Jim Prentice and James Moore will join Belinda Stronach. (CBC)
The Knights And The Lesbians The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has just finished hearing Ms. Chymyshyn and Ms. Smith’s complaint that the Knights, a Roman Catholic men’s fraternal and philanthropic society, discriminated against them by refusing to rent the hall to them after learning it was for a same-sex wedding reception. The Knights, faithful to church teaching against homosexual marriage, cancelled a rental contract that had been signed, returned the couple’s deposit and paid for the rental of a new hall and the reprinting of wedding invitations. That still didn’t satisfy the two lesbians who went to the Human Rights Commission. (The Globe and Mail)