Adam & Steve and Annie & Eve
Apr. 11th, 2006 08:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ciroccojOh, here we go again.
HARPER CONFIRMS RE-OPENING VOTE IS COMING
While the Throne Speech didn’t mention a vote on re-opening equal marriage, both Prime Minister Harper and Justice Minister Toews have now confirmed that a vote is coming.
This confirms what was said in the Conservative election platform — that a Conservative government will:
“hold a truly free vote on the definition of marriage in the next session of Parliament. If the resolution is passed, the government will introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage while respecting existing same-sex marriages.”
As per the platform, the vote will be on a government motion asking MPs whether they want the government to introduce legislation that would take away equal marriage.
If that vote passes, legislation will subsequently be introduced — legislation to take away our right to marry. If the motion is defeated, Mr. Harper said during the election that he would consider the issue settled.
The government’s announcement that the vote is coming happened after Canadians for Equal Marriage held a post Throne Speech press conference. CEM called on the Prime Minister to renounce his planned vote to re-open equal marriage or, at a minimum, to tell Canadians what he intends to do and when he intends to do it.
We also noted that recent Environics polls – from November 29, 2005 and from January 24, 2006 – showed that two-thirds of Canadians are against re-opening the equal marriage debate. As well, a recent survey of Canada’s top executives revealed a strong consensus against re-opening the issue.
Speaking at the press conference were Emily Turk and Cynthia Misener, who are planning their wedding for this June. They spoke about what it’s like to have this threat hanging over their heads and did a great job putting a human face on the issue. Also speaking were Kaj Hasselriis, CEM’s new Communications Coordinator and National Spokesperson and Laurie Arron, CEM’s new National Coordinator.
Restore Marriage Canada is on the move
New equal marriage opponent issues mass e-mail alert
A new equal marriage opponent known as Restore Marriage Canada issued a mass e-mail alert on March 28 “with the goal of restoring traditional marriage in our nation.” It goes on to say:
“Radically redefining marriage to include same-sex individuals undermines this vital institution. Throughout history, marriage between a man and a woman has been essential to forming strong families. Strong families, in turn, have always been the foundation of all successful societies. We ignore these lessons of history at our peril.
With the recent election of a Conservative Government, we have a chance — probably our last chance — to revisit the legalization of same-sex “marriage” that the Liberal Government rammed through Parliament last year without holding fair, balanced, honest and adequate hearings to consider all of the consequences of this radical redefinition of this fundamental institution.”
It urges people to contact their MPs, saying it “is essential that our MPs know that the majority of us still feel strongly about restoring marriage.”
Restore Marriage Canada is one of many well-financed groups now mobilizing against us to win the vote on re-opening equal marriage. For more info, see www.restoremarriagecanada.ca.
Equal Marriage support remains uncertain
Commentators agree it will be a close vote
There has been a lot of speculation, especially in the mass media, about the possible outcome of a vote on re-opening the equal marriage debate. Many commentators suggest our side will be victorious. But most haven’t actually crunched the numbers. We have, and it’s too close to take this vote for granted.
There are 67 new MPs elected since last year’s historic vote and quite a few incumbents whose positions are unknown. The only way to confirm where MPs stand is to ask them directly – which is exactly what Canadians for Equal Marriage is doing right now. Only after we discuss the issue with MPs can we know for sure if we’ve got the votes.
If you’d like to find out where your MP stands, check our website for the latest info. Even better, please ask them! Call, write or e-mail with this question: “How do you intend to vote on the government motion to re-open the equal marriage debate?” Cite the Conservative election platform if clarification is helpful. Let us know their response! E-mail Laurie at laurie@equal-marriage.ca.
You can get more information by going to Equal Marriage's website, http://www.equal-marriage.ca/
I did find out two nice things this morning. My own MP, who is Conservative, has stated his intention to vote against the government on this one. And Canadian business leaders are pretty much set against it too. And, from last year around this time, here's an interesting case of politics making strange bedfellows:
Conservative, Liberal and NDP Youth from Ontario Congratulate Parliament for Defeating Harper Amendments to Bill C-38
The leaders of the Ontario PC Youth Association, the Ontario Young Liberals and the Ontario New Democratic Youth banded together today in a rare show of cross-party unity to congratulate Parliament for defeating Stephen Harper's motion to kill the government's Same-Sex Marriage Bill.
Andrew Teliszewsky, President of the Ontario Young Liberals, said "The Ontario Young Liberals have long believed that same-sex marriage is an issue of basic human rights. With over 3000 registered same-sex marriages in Ontario presently, we feel that any attempt to nullify those existing marriages is a heartless attack on same-sex couples and their families," Teliszewsky added.
Heather Milne, Co-Chair of the Ontario New Democratic Youth, said "ONDY has supported same sex marriage as an issue of equality, justice and respect for gays and lesbians since 1991. We're completely in support of Bill C-38. It's a question not just of rights, but of dignity."
Mike Wilson, the President of the Ontario PC Youth Association hopes that Mr. Harper will not take any action to further delay passage of the Bill. "The federal Conservatives should urge the government to deal with Bill C-38 quickly so that we can move on to other issues," said Mr. Wilson. "Whatever their opinion, everyone has made up their minds when it comes to same-sex marriage. The Environics poll released today indicates that even 70% of Conservatives believe there has been enough discussion on this issue. It's time to move this issue to a vote."
In a way I'm kind of glad they're doing this. Harper has said that if the vote goes against the government, the issue will be dropped once and for all. And he did make a campaign promise to do this, so I guess he should get points for keeping his promises.
OTOH... ::blowing hair off of face in annoyance:: Damn it, enough already.
***
And in other news: Chris just left to write his first exam.
HARPER CONFIRMS RE-OPENING VOTE IS COMING
While the Throne Speech didn’t mention a vote on re-opening equal marriage, both Prime Minister Harper and Justice Minister Toews have now confirmed that a vote is coming.
This confirms what was said in the Conservative election platform — that a Conservative government will:
“hold a truly free vote on the definition of marriage in the next session of Parliament. If the resolution is passed, the government will introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage while respecting existing same-sex marriages.”
As per the platform, the vote will be on a government motion asking MPs whether they want the government to introduce legislation that would take away equal marriage.
If that vote passes, legislation will subsequently be introduced — legislation to take away our right to marry. If the motion is defeated, Mr. Harper said during the election that he would consider the issue settled.
The government’s announcement that the vote is coming happened after Canadians for Equal Marriage held a post Throne Speech press conference. CEM called on the Prime Minister to renounce his planned vote to re-open equal marriage or, at a minimum, to tell Canadians what he intends to do and when he intends to do it.
We also noted that recent Environics polls – from November 29, 2005 and from January 24, 2006 – showed that two-thirds of Canadians are against re-opening the equal marriage debate. As well, a recent survey of Canada’s top executives revealed a strong consensus against re-opening the issue.
Speaking at the press conference were Emily Turk and Cynthia Misener, who are planning their wedding for this June. They spoke about what it’s like to have this threat hanging over their heads and did a great job putting a human face on the issue. Also speaking were Kaj Hasselriis, CEM’s new Communications Coordinator and National Spokesperson and Laurie Arron, CEM’s new National Coordinator.
Restore Marriage Canada is on the move
New equal marriage opponent issues mass e-mail alert
A new equal marriage opponent known as Restore Marriage Canada issued a mass e-mail alert on March 28 “with the goal of restoring traditional marriage in our nation.” It goes on to say:
“Radically redefining marriage to include same-sex individuals undermines this vital institution. Throughout history, marriage between a man and a woman has been essential to forming strong families. Strong families, in turn, have always been the foundation of all successful societies. We ignore these lessons of history at our peril.
With the recent election of a Conservative Government, we have a chance — probably our last chance — to revisit the legalization of same-sex “marriage” that the Liberal Government rammed through Parliament last year without holding fair, balanced, honest and adequate hearings to consider all of the consequences of this radical redefinition of this fundamental institution.”
It urges people to contact their MPs, saying it “is essential that our MPs know that the majority of us still feel strongly about restoring marriage.”
Restore Marriage Canada is one of many well-financed groups now mobilizing against us to win the vote on re-opening equal marriage. For more info, see www.restoremarriagecanada.ca.
Equal Marriage support remains uncertain
Commentators agree it will be a close vote
There has been a lot of speculation, especially in the mass media, about the possible outcome of a vote on re-opening the equal marriage debate. Many commentators suggest our side will be victorious. But most haven’t actually crunched the numbers. We have, and it’s too close to take this vote for granted.
There are 67 new MPs elected since last year’s historic vote and quite a few incumbents whose positions are unknown. The only way to confirm where MPs stand is to ask them directly – which is exactly what Canadians for Equal Marriage is doing right now. Only after we discuss the issue with MPs can we know for sure if we’ve got the votes.
If you’d like to find out where your MP stands, check our website for the latest info. Even better, please ask them! Call, write or e-mail with this question: “How do you intend to vote on the government motion to re-open the equal marriage debate?” Cite the Conservative election platform if clarification is helpful. Let us know their response! E-mail Laurie at laurie@equal-marriage.ca.
You can get more information by going to Equal Marriage's website, http://www.equal-marriage.ca/
I did find out two nice things this morning. My own MP, who is Conservative, has stated his intention to vote against the government on this one. And Canadian business leaders are pretty much set against it too. And, from last year around this time, here's an interesting case of politics making strange bedfellows:
Conservative, Liberal and NDP Youth from Ontario Congratulate Parliament for Defeating Harper Amendments to Bill C-38
The leaders of the Ontario PC Youth Association, the Ontario Young Liberals and the Ontario New Democratic Youth banded together today in a rare show of cross-party unity to congratulate Parliament for defeating Stephen Harper's motion to kill the government's Same-Sex Marriage Bill.
Andrew Teliszewsky, President of the Ontario Young Liberals, said "The Ontario Young Liberals have long believed that same-sex marriage is an issue of basic human rights. With over 3000 registered same-sex marriages in Ontario presently, we feel that any attempt to nullify those existing marriages is a heartless attack on same-sex couples and their families," Teliszewsky added.
Heather Milne, Co-Chair of the Ontario New Democratic Youth, said "ONDY has supported same sex marriage as an issue of equality, justice and respect for gays and lesbians since 1991. We're completely in support of Bill C-38. It's a question not just of rights, but of dignity."
Mike Wilson, the President of the Ontario PC Youth Association hopes that Mr. Harper will not take any action to further delay passage of the Bill. "The federal Conservatives should urge the government to deal with Bill C-38 quickly so that we can move on to other issues," said Mr. Wilson. "Whatever their opinion, everyone has made up their minds when it comes to same-sex marriage. The Environics poll released today indicates that even 70% of Conservatives believe there has been enough discussion on this issue. It's time to move this issue to a vote."
In a way I'm kind of glad they're doing this. Harper has said that if the vote goes against the government, the issue will be dropped once and for all. And he did make a campaign promise to do this, so I guess he should get points for keeping his promises.
OTOH... ::blowing hair off of face in annoyance:: Damn it, enough already.
And in other news: Chris just left to write his first exam.
