In Canada, the Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government has the power to legalise gay marriage. Canadian PM says his government will bring in national equal marriage legislation next year. Screw you, Ralph Klein.
“Canada is a pluralistic society,” the court said. “Our constitution is a living tree which, by way of progressive interpretation, accommodates and addresses the realities of modern life.” (from the Guardian‘s coverage)
Meanwhile the New Zealand Parliament has passed the Civil Unions Bill, giving KiwiQueers equal rights to their straight cousins.
A frabjous day in the dominions.
Looks like Aussie queers will have their day in the wedding registry only after PM Howard says sorry to the Aboriginals.
I am beginning to feel very very sorry for you all in Oz having to put up with Johnny Howard et al.
Even the robustly conservative and completely non-representative House of Lords here in the UK has passed the “Civil Partnership Bill” giving gay couples equal rights: effectively marriage in all but name.
See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4020249.stm
Spain also has drafted legislation to legalise full marriage and it looks set to pass Parliament soon.
Australia is looking more and more out of touch each day….
almost, but not quite. the civil unions bill doesn’t actually confer any rights to anyone… it is just a mechanism to register a relationship. for the ‘equal’ rights we need to wait for the relationships (statutory references) bill which is due to be debated early next year
it’s all very well to sit on our arses and blame PM Howard but the fact remains he was voted in by an increased majority of Australians, the fault is ours for not putting the case for equal relationship recognition more effectivly, and getting trapped into a US style “gay marriage” debate.