A Selection Of Your Comments
December 2004

December 4, 2020

Greetings, good people,

Thanks for putting up the anti-Bush protest pictures on your website. No media source I've read so far -- this would include the European ones too -- carried any news to suggest that Bush's reception in Ottawa was anything worse than neutral. Your pictures made it very obvious that many Canadians can't stand Bush, and I'm trusting that that sentiment is much more true than anything the standard media reported about Bush's visit.

Sincerely,

Martin Paul Kracklauer
USA

December 9, 2020

Hi you two!

...I just thought I'd let you know that we got our marriage certificate this week. We were married on March 17th, the registration was signed on November 16th and we received it in the mail on December 6th. I'm not sure if you're still following up on the status of the length of time it takes these documents to be processed but thought you might be interested in this time line.

Best wishes over the holiday season,

Beatrice Volino

December 10, 2020

"Canadian court OKs same-sex marriages" is on p. 1 of the San Diego Union-Tribune today along with a color pix of you both.

Congratulations.

John Lockhart

December 10, 2020

I thought that I should drop a line or two, expressing my feelings about the Supreme Court decision. As I said to Bob this morning; we should be very proud of what we have accomplished over the past few years. We have turned the world on end. The 17 couples who made our way through the lower courts, with the sound legal advice and representations of all the lawyers involved. Our families and friends who joined us on our journey. The many friends we have made during this process. The media contacts that everyone has made and the very fair and balanced coverage that we've received. On a personal note I offer Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell our thanks for the long hours they have put in, to keep their website updated with the latest developments as they took place. To Michael and Rene , who at times must have felt very much alone, we thank you for your courage and determination. Last, but by no means least, Egale, we could not have done it without your assistance. Thank you John, Gilles, Laurie and all other Egale associates. Today we are very proud to wrap ourselves in the Canadian flag. Now it's time to change America.

Lloyd and Bob Peacock

December 11, 2020

Hello, my name is Rikki Rae, personally i am not gay, but i believe very strongly, that gay people deserve the same rights as everyone else. The only difference i see is that they prefer people of the same sex, OH MY GOODNESS! THAT IS SUCH A BIG DEAL!!!

Geez it just makes me so mad how horrible people can be, i hate to admit it, but i was watching the news with my father and a story about homosexuals being allowed to adopt came on, and my dad became bitter about it. I knew right away that he didnt support the adoption thing, i asked him why, he simply said, "because it's un-natural", "UN -NATURAL!?!?!"

I exclaimed, "how the hell can two people wanting to take in children who dont have a home, be un-natural? yea so what if it's not possible for them to make those children! They will love those children more than some people are able to! HOW IS LOVE UN-NATURAL!?!??!" i really dont get it.

One of my dreams is to one day walk in a gay parade, do u have to be gay to walk in a gay parade? i hope not. I also asked my dad if he would support me if i was a lesbian and i wanted to adopt a child. sadly, he said no. I am his only child. and he said no.

I am so sorry that Homosexuals dont have all the supprt they deserve. Any ways. thank you for listening, You have all my support,

Sincerly,

Rikki Rae

December 12, 2020

Dear Friends,

I am sure that Thursday's ruling in regards to same sex marriages in Canada is a great achievement for your particular group. I am impressed with the amount of support that your organization is recieving. I am proud to offer you mine.

Same Sex Marriages in Canada is a human rights issue and just like the day when my people recieved the right to vote and legally leave the reserve without permission -- so should homosexual Canadians be given the right to marry.

I believe that all Canadians should be treated with respect and rest assured, as a First Nations - Canadian, I am proud to stand with my brothers and sisters in this battle for equality and respect.

Yours in friends,

MJ Wolf Child

December 14, 2020

The Roman Catolic church in Alberta is mounting a concerted campaing againt us, and the comments in the press here yestd'y by their Archbishop reinforce that. Locally, on a widely viewed supper newscast last Thursday, a local rabbi stated that marriage was for procreation.

Hopefully we will not see a repeat here locally of salicious comments from those who are outspoken, and do a disservice as we move to equality.

The end to systemic discrimination is, I prayerfully hope, near!

Cordially,

Jack Waller

December 15, 2020

The Grinch Who Tried to Steal Same-Sex Marriage

Every Gay down in Queer-ville liked same-sex marriage a lot
But the Grinch, who lived out in Calgary, did not.
The Grinch hated same-sex marriage,
He hated it a lot!
Now don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think the most likely reason of all
May be that his heart was two sizes too small.
But, Whatever the reason, his heart or his shoes,
He stood there in Ottawa, hating the news.
Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinch frown
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every Gay down in Queer-ville below
Was busy now, and all were aglow.
"And they're planning their weddings!" he snarled with a sneer,
"January is Same-sex Marriage! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find some way to stop it from coming!"
For soon he knew it would be too late.
Oh dear, he thought, what will happen if I let them open that gate?
He plotted and stewed, and worked for nights,
But the Supreme Court had already given gays their rights.
The Grinch, like John Diefenbacher, who didn’t want the flag,
Will soon have to get over his conservative time lag.
Oh well, perhaps there will soon be a recall.
WE all know what happens when your heart is too small.

With apologies to Dr. Seuss,

BJ Home

December 18, 2020

I came across your site today while stewing about Ralph Klein's latest efforts to halt same sex marriage in Alberta. I am glad you are organizing to help make your dreams become a reality. Often it is a aggressive fear-mongering, lack of understanding, and lack of information that fire people up enough to force their closed-minded opinions on others, while those of us who would like to see progress made do not have a loud enough voice.

I am one half of a straight couple in Alberta who DOES support gay marriage. Although I am proud of our province and our city, at times I am ashamed that Ralph Klein's actions are having the rest of us painted as "rednecks". You can be assured that his words do NOT reflect our point of view on the topic. I believe his point of view reflects the view of many rural Albertans, but Alberta is a vibrant, growing province, and our cities are melting pots of diversity. Calgary and Edmonton are cities of up to 1 million people each, all of us with varying political views.

We believe that a same sex couple should have as much right as a straight couple to get married and enjoy the benefits of such a union. When the subject comes up in conversation, I am forced to ask the others "Who would it hurt?". There does not ever seem to be an answer for this. It certainly would not hurt anyone, and if it helps 2 people who love each other strengthen their bond or family unit, power to the idea! It seems that many people are simply afraid of change. They argue that "marriage historically has been a bond between man or woman"...I am not sure what this is supposed to mean. Are we to live in the past? Has the "historical" way of doing things always been 100% correct? Absolutely not.

I hope you are successful in your efforts.

Cheers,

Linda Duffy-Crook
Alberta

December 23, 2020

I am a straight girl from Alberta, who now lives in San Francisco. When I lived in Alberta and as I do now, continue to believe that every person is deserving of the same rights. My Christmas wish is that everyone who doesn't already realize that people are people and differences are not only okay, but welcomed, understand that.

I will continue to brag that Canada is maintaining her reputation as an equality minded country and that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a superior piece of legislation to the US constitution. I am also confident that soon all provinces and territories will step on board and realize the fact that everyone deserves a chance at happiness. Soon, because of the efforts of strong and passionate people this issue will seem as archaic as school segregation or voting rights. Have a safe and very happy holidays!

Happy Holidays,

Marina Peterson

December 24, 2020

Hello

Like many I am a hetro, married and wondering what all the fuss is about. After all, as I said in a recent discussion, " a 55 year old man marrying a 14 year old child and saying it is ok because his religion says it is ok seems a bit more of an affront to the institution of marriage than a couple guys or girls getting married".

Interestingly the "religious right" don't seem to take much issue with their own house.

But, and there is always a but, does the gay and lesbian lobby want to force religions to have to marry same sex couples. My understanding is that the position of the lobby is that if churches marry hetro sexual they must also marry homosexual. I hope I am wrong and that the lobby is happy to stop at legal marriage. However, I can't seem to find a platform position on that specific issue and I have a daughter in law ready to pounce on me. I think you should force change in law and leave religion out of it and she doesn't think your lobby would include forcing churches to do your bidding. Anyway, just what is your formal position on the subject? Help me have some peace at Christmas dinner, please.

Regards and thanks,

Brian McClelland

Just as the Catholic church is not forced to marry someone who has been divorced, or other faiths can refuse to marry someone who is outside their church, we agree that no church should be forced to marry a gay couple if they do not wish to solemnize the relationship. Of course, we hope that people of faith communities will continue to work within their own faith community to end faith-based bigotry, but that change will come from within.

December 24, 2020

I have continued to keep up-to-date with events in Canada (and the USA). I am disappointed in our legislature (and particularly our gay MPs) who have recently gone for Civil Unions. They have not brought about equality for us and, in fact, have served to delay equality ... very sad, really. However, our battle is not over, and we are still working on full and equal treatment.

Canada, and all the work you are all doing over there, is certainly an inspiration for us. Take care.

Love to you both.

Nigel Christie
LeGaLE, New Zealand

December 24, 2020

Happy Christmas Kevin and Joey,

You guys have done some phenomenal work and made some great strides for humanity. I am very proud of you both. Have a wonderful Christmas and a New Year which proves even more fruitful than the past several.

~Mercedes