# Same-Sex Wedding bells in Canada! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 10, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957 "2003-06-10T20:33:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [June 18, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/61 "2003-06-18T15:55:10Z")
And remember… the Toronto Pride Parade is at the end of June! Naked dancers in the streets! [sub]We need all the tourism we can get…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![hampster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/53a042/32.png) [@hampster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hampster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/62 "2003-06-18T19:17:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sunspace \* > \*\*And remember… the Toronto Pride Parade is at the end of June! Naked dancers in the streets! > \*\* No, remember they’re not naked if they’re wearing shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Hamish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Hamish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamish)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/63 "2003-06-19T03:55:08Z")
NOTE: While anyone can come to Ontario and get _married_, you must reside in Ontario for a year before you can get _divorced._ Take into consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/64 "2003-06-19T19:40:21Z")
Does this mean I can finally marry you, **matt**? 😃 Esprix ---
**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:** [June 20, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/65 "2003-06-20T01:18:11Z")
No, since bigamy is against the law. Sorry, sweet, but my heart belongs to another. (No worries, though; you’ll just have to ask his permission before borrowing me. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/66 "2003-06-20T01:33:14Z")
I wanna borrow you _both!_ (I mean, you know, for _white boys_ and all… 😉 ) Esprix ---
**Author:** ![modro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@modro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/modro)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/67 "2003-06-20T02:02:43Z")
This really is great news. Amazing how far gay rights have come in such a relatively short period of time, huh? I am definitely glad to be living in such a time of transition and change. Congrats Canada, and hopefully soon enough the US will be making the same leap. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/68 "2003-06-20T02:47:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _ **matt\_mcl** said:_ > …bigamy is against the law… Us pagans’re gonna start working on the group-marriage ban as soon as everyone’s picked up after the Pride parade… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/69 "2003-06-20T13:30:44Z")
Congrats Canada 🙂 that’s fab! Cross your fingers that Sweden will pull their heads out of their asses and let me “upgrade” from registered-partner to married woman soon 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/70 "2003-06-20T15:50:05Z")
Couple of news bits on this: [First](http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?id=9021&sd=06/20/03), it’s confirmed that the first marriage licenses have been issued to American couples. Second, the plaintiffs in the British Columbia marriage case have asked the court to reconsider the time delay it included with its ruling in light of the Ontario victory and the federal government’s intention to extend marriage rights equally. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/71 "2003-06-20T16:56:35Z")
Now that this is a done deal, I wonder how the wedding industry in general is going to react, adjust, whatever. Jeremy and I are starting to plan our wedding, and it’s soon going to be time to start calling places for the reception, etc. “What’s the bride’s name?” “Um, there _is no_ bride.” _Then_ what happens? A hang-up? Astonishment? Rejection? I know I’m ahead of myself here, but these are things we have to be prepared for. Yes, our money is just as good as anyone else’s, but I’m just worried that businesses will try and use the “We don’t support gay marriage” thing to avoid hosting a gay wedding… just because it might be _uncomfortable_ for them. Luckily, we’ve got a (RC!!!) priest and a church, and everything else will be a breeze. It’s just securing the dinner/reception part that’s causing me anxiety. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/72 "2003-06-20T18:37:09Z")
When they ask for the bride’s name just say “Jeremy.” I imagine it is going to be a jarring transition for the industry. Perhaps facilities will begin instructing their employees to say “what is the name of your fiance” instead of “and what is the name of the bride.” But, don’t y’all have nationwide anti-discrimination laws? If they refuse your business they open themselves up to a lawsuit, yes? That in combination with the shitty economy would lead me to believe that anyone you’re going to deal with is going to welcome you and your cash with open arms. Unless of course you’re marrying on the cheap. Maybe if it’s going to cause you stress to hear the rejection you could have a friend make the initial calls to explain that the wedding will consist of two grooms. ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/73 "2003-06-20T21:19:45Z")
Well, **Otto** , there’s always the possibility of an establishment being difficult because of the owners’ _religious beliefs_ (e.g. that we may not be evil but the sex we have is, and all that crap), and them trying to use that to trump our rights to not be denied service. A church or church-owned establishment is one thing. A business is another. It could get interesting. I’m sure everyone will be kept apprised of _every_ aspect of my wedding planning, good and bad. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![modro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@modro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/modro)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/74 "2003-06-20T21:35:55Z")
**scott** , as to whether the planning goes good or bad, I’m just happy that you are now able to even consider calling up various places to plan your wedding. I hope it goes smoothly for you, and do keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/75 "2003-06-21T02:19:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by scott evil \* > \*\*Well, **Otto** , there’s always the possibility of an establishment being difficult because of the owners’ _religious beliefs_ (e.g. that we may not be evil but the sex we have is, and all that crap), and them trying to use that to trump our rights to not be denied service. A church or church-owned establishment is one thing. A business is another. It could get interesting. \*\* There’s the precident of the toronto printer who refused to print gay leaflettes. I believe he lost. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2003, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/76 "2003-06-21T02:21:53Z")
Scott, you shouldn’t be telling them it’s for a wedding _anyway_. They’ll just double the price! > [@](#): > > Luckily, we’ve got a (RC!!!) priest and a church, and everything else will be a breeze. It’s just securing the dinner/reception part that’s causing me anxiety. Ooooo!! (Please tell me it’s Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. I know, I know, but just for the irony value.) ---
**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:** [June 21, 2003, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/77 "2003-06-21T02:23:25Z")
> [@](#): > > there’s always the possibility of an establishment being difficult because of the owners’ religious beliefs (e.g. that we may not be evil but the sex we have is, and all that crap) FWIW, I think that extending any such provision to businesses rather than officiants would violate the equality provisions. The intent was for _churches_ not to have to _celebrate_ marriages they didn’t want to, not for the caterers to get the day off. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2003, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/78 "2003-06-21T02:32:38Z")
And just remember… it’s good luck for either of the grooms to have ever slept with the priest 😉 ---
**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:** [June 21, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/79 "2003-06-21T02:34:47Z")
Check this out: [http://www.pridebride.com](http://www.pridebride.com) (One of these days I’ll be able to post just one message at a time, I swear.) ---
**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:** [June 21, 2003, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957/80 "2003-06-21T02:37:25Z")
(Obviously no time soon.) > [@](#): > > “What’s the bride’s name?” “Um, there is no bride.” Then what happens? A hang-up? Astonishment? Rejection? "One [wedding] cake designer I called said, ‘We specialize in elaborate beautiful white flowers all over the cake.’ So I said, ‘I should tell you, this is for two men.’ There was a slight pause and she said, ‘I can put little baseball players all over it?’ " - Mark Harris (husband of Tony Kushner) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-wedding-bells-in-canada/180957.md?page=5)