# Canadian soldier marries his boyfriend **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 5, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381 "2004-04-05T16:42:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/1 "2004-04-05T16:42:28Z")
😃 from [365gay.com](http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/04/040404cadetMarr.htm): > [@](#): > > (Toronto, Ontario) Jason Stewart has become the first member of Canada’s military to marry a same-sex partner, exchanging vows this weekend with his fiancĂ© Joey Schwehr. > > The couple eloped Friday when Stewart arrived at Schwehr’s Kingston, Ontario home in a white stretch limousine. Stewart is an Officer Cadet at the Royal Military College. > > 
 > > “Everyone’s always been really supportive,” said Stewart of his peers and teachers at the college, Canada’s officer candidacy school. “I’ve never gotten any flack about it,” told the Star. > > “Everybody’s just gung-ho and most of my superiors are more worried about me getting married at a young age than who I’m getting married to.” Stewart is 19 and Schwehr is 20. Awwwwww!! Gay soldiers getting married. That’s pretty much everything right there, isn’t it? I do love this country 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/2 "2004-04-05T16:45:37Z")
I’m still waiting for the invasion
 Hunky gay soldiers preferred
 But single, please, I’m no homewrecker! ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/3 "2004-04-05T16:48:59Z")
Weren’t their pictures in the Star yesterday? Seems they (or another gay couple age 19 and 20 who got married on the weekend) got front-row tickets to see Britney, to celebrate. That was my first thought, too 
 ‘They’re much too young!’ Yay Canada ! ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/4 "2004-04-05T17:16:59Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > I’m still waiting for the invasion
 So _that’s_ what the kids are calling it these days. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/5 "2004-04-05T18:56:21Z")
_hehehe._ Congratulations; Stewart & Schwehr and Canada! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/6 "2004-04-05T19:14:04Z")
I had an odd little fantasy yesterday that all the gay folks in the United States would be tempted to move up north to a country that clearly valued them more. I had visions of Canada’s marketing guys
 “Man, this gay marriage thing is KILLING the States
” “We should exploit that
think about it
maybe we can lure some of those young, prosperous professionals up here?” “Hmm
could be worth it
” And the slogan: “CANADA: More gay-friendly that where YOU live” _sigh_ At least it’s nice to have you guys around as a good example. Here’s hoping the rest of the US takes the hint when Canada doesn’t revert ro barbarism and collapse through the rip in the social fabric. ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/7 "2004-04-05T19:40:07Z")
_deep breath_ Letmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmein!!! Ok, ok, everything’s fine, no problem, it’s ok, just going to sit here and try to get some more immigration points
 â˜č ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/8 "2004-04-05T21:08:14Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > I had an odd little fantasy yesterday that all the gay folks in the United States would be tempted to move up north to a country that clearly valued them more. > > I had visions of Canada’s marketing guys
 You know, I’m sitting here in Canada, and Mrs. RickJay and I have had this basic conversation a dozen times: Why isn’t Canada marketing this? You’ve got two opportunities here: 1. From an immigration point of view, poach the U.S. bigtime for high-value immigrants by marketing Canada as gay-friendly. We could bring in engineers, doctors, nurses, skilled workers, truck drivers (yes, we are horribly short of truck drivers, believe it or not) or any number of high-value professions. What, your back-asswards state is openly hostile to queer folk and won’t let you get married? Consider the benefits of living in Vancouver! Or Montreal! Or (insert Canadian city here.) Mmmmm
 tax dollars. Mmm, economic development. Skilled workers. 2. Why in the name of sweet zombie Christ aren’t we doing a full-court press to get TOURISTS up her with a gay marriage as the drawing card? Shit, Mrs. RickJay and I flew to Vegas to get married, and we could have gotten married here. Surely it’s more appealing to offer a marriage getaway to people when they can’t legally get married where they are? Where are the $899 weekend packages to come to Toronto for a weekend, see the sights, catch a ballgame, see “The Producers,” and get a homo hitchery, hotel and flight included? If we’re more socially progressive, dammit, let’s make hay while the sun shines. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/9 "2004-04-05T22:14:54Z")
> [@](#): > > Surely it’s more appealing to offer a marriage getaway to people when they can’t legally get married where they are? Where are the $899 weekend packages to come to Toronto for a weekend, see the sights, catch a ballgame, see “The Producers,” and get a homo hitchery, hotel and flight included? Sad thing is, though, when they come home, it won’t be considered legal. â˜č Here’s hoping that someday soon, it will. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/10 "2004-04-06T04:23:01Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > 1. Why in the name of sweet zombie Christ aren’t we doing a full-court press to get TOURISTS up her with a gay marriage as the drawing card? Dude, wedding planners in Toronto ARE doing this, as are their Vancouver cohorts. And their Montreal counterparts won’t be far behind. Trust me, gay people know where they are liked and loved, and where their money is appreciated. And many of them that I run into in the Big Apple are seriously considering moving north if Bush gets re-elected. Be prepared for a creative renaissance! ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/11 "2004-04-06T11:30:18Z")
Its like this alternate reality up there, isn’t it? I mean, we think you are just like us, but you let gay soliders marry and actually feel relatively good about yor tax burden. ---
**Author:** ![Mercury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercury)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/12 "2004-04-06T11:57:52Z")
Guess I’d better learn to like the cold! I think that’s great news. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/13 "2004-04-06T12:20:21Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Its like this alternate reality up there, isn’t it? I mean, we think you are just like us, but you let gay soliders marry and actually feel relatively good about yor tax burden. When you stop to consider everything that is provided for us by those taxes, it’s shocking that anyone would ever complain in the first place. Besides, I always got a full refund. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/14 "2004-04-06T13:20:21Z")
I think my heart just stopped. Ginger, you shouldn’t do that to helpless Americans. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/15 "2004-04-06T14:59:40Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > 
many of them that I run into in the Big Apple are seriously considering moving north if Bush gets re-elected. Be prepared for a creative renaissance! Well, if _Queer Eye for the Straight Guy_ moves to Toronto, I’ll be happy. My apartment and I need a makeover. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/16 "2004-04-06T15:42:30Z")
> [@elfbabe](#): > > _deep breath_ > > Letmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmeinletmein!!! > > Ok, ok, everything’s fine, no problem, it’s ok, just going to sit here and try to get some more immigration points
 â˜č Realistically, what is involved in emigrating? What are these immigaration points of which you speak? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/17 "2004-04-06T17:21:02Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > Realistically, what is involved in emigrating? What are these immigaration points of which you speak? Canada has a sort of “scale of 1 to 100” system to determine if you can immigrate and become a permanent resident. If you score 67 points or over, you might be invited to immigrate. You get “points” for: Education - a quarter of the score. Language - Facility in English, French or both is a quarter of the score. Experience - About 20% of the score. Age - 21-49 is ideal, any other age gets penalized Employment - bonus points if you have a job lined up. Other Various actors - having family in Canada, having an educated spouse, stuff like that. Just for fun I took an online test myself; if I wasn’t a citizen and didn’t have a job here I’d get 81 points. Education and work experience makes all the difference. The rules are a bit different if you want to immigrate into Quebec. Of course once you’re a permanent resident you can move and work wherever you like. You can also enter the country either as an entrepeneur/business class immigrant (e.g. you have a ton of money so you’ll create jobs) or as a sponsored relative. Many firms specialize in helping immigration to Canada; a Google search will turn up a zillion of them. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/18 "2004-04-06T17:46:19Z")
Note, too, that like the US it is easier – but not automatic – to immigrate if you are the spouse or partner of a Canadian. (Same-sex unions, even extralegal ones, have counted for some time now.) ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/19 "2004-04-06T18:01:48Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Note, too, that like the US it is easier – but not automatic – to immigrate if you are the spouse or partner of a Canadian. (Same-sex unions, even extralegal ones, have counted for some time now.) Oddly, though, that [doesn’t seem to be the case](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/in.html) for sponsoring a partner from within Canada. (Someone there as a student or temporary worker or something.) **matt** , do you have any idea why that is or when and if it’ll be changed? Depending on a lot of things, my eventual immigration to Canada may end up being under that set of rules, and my boyfriend and I would prefer not to take any option not open to same-sex couples. (We’ll still take it, we’re not crazy, but we’ll be annoyed about it.) ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381/20 "2004-04-06T19:48:32Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Canada has a sort of “scale of 1 to 100” system to determine if you can immigrate and become a permanent resident. If you score 67 points or over, you might be invited to immigrate. You get “points” for: > > Education - a quarter of the score. > Language - Facility in English, French or both is a quarter of the score. > Experience - About 20% of the score. > Age - 21-49 is ideal, any other age gets penalized > Employment - bonus points if you have a job lined up. > Other Various actors - having family in Canada, having an educated spouse, stuff like that. I scored a 67! Need to find me a Canadian boy-friend now and bump up the family points. Anybody know anyone looking for a chubby, red-headed bottom? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-soldier-marries-his-boyfriend/238381.md?page=2)