Press Release

August 18, 2003

Arguments Against Gay Marriage the Same as Those Against Interracial Marriage

“I speak today as a Christian who believes that same-sex marriage is an idea whose time has come,” said Dr. Richard Birney-Smith, founder and Artistic Director of the Hamilton-based Te Deum Orchestra & Singers. “When I got married in 1963 in the state of Connecticut, my marriage was illegal in 24 states of the union. It was argued that our marriage was unnatural, un-Christian, and a bad example for children. Our marriage remained thus illegal until 1967, when the U.S. Supreme Court declared unconstitutional all laws that use racial identity as a basis for defining who may marry.”

“Now we hear the same concerns raised about letting same-sex couples marry,” Dr. Birney-Smith added. “The reality is that same-sex marriage won’t hurt anybody.”

“The idea that letting same-sex couples marry is anti-religion is just not true,” said Douglas Elliott, a lawyer with McGowan, Elliott and Kim and counsel for the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. “Many religions want to marry same-sex couples and those that don’t will not be forced to. Affirming this diversity of opinion is something Canadians should value, celebrate, and protect.”

“Denying access to marriage and creating a separate partnership registry is segregation, and the courts recognize that,” he added. “They have likened it to the racial segregation that used to exist in schools in the southern United States.”

“The most fundamental problem legally,” said Mr. Elliott, “is that the federal government doesn’t have the Constitutional power to give registered partners the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. To do that would require the cooperation of all the provinces and territories.”

“Creating a separate registry for same-sex couples, rather than giving them access to marriage itself, only sends the message that there’s something wrong with being gay,” added Jim Callaghan of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Canada. “I’ve seen the harm that causes to children and to families. We can’t let that happen.”

“There’s nothing anti-family about recognizing non-traditional families,” said Marilyn Byers, a member of PFLAG York Region. As a parent, I want all my children and grandchildren to enjoy happy, fulfilling lives in an accepting society. Any one of us might have current or future children or grandchildren who are gay or lesbian. It’s only fair that all of our children and grandchildren have the same choice to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

“Studies show that children raised by same-sex parents do just as well as children raised by opposite-sex parents,” said Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy of Egale. “That’s one reason why the Canadian Psychologists Association supports extending equal marriage to same-sex couples.”

“Children of same-sex couples don’t need protection from their parents; they need protection from discrimination, stigma and prejudice. This is not a theoretical argument, it’s a fact that was noted by the Canadian Association of Social Workers in their presentation to the Justice Committee in April.”

“When you cut through the fear and rhetoric,” Mr. Arron continued, “permitting same-sex couples to marry is good for society. We’re not asking to change the institution of marriage, only to take the “no queers” sign off the door. If marriage is such a good thing, why deny us access? Why deny our children the protection of marriage?”

For more information:
Richard Birney-Smith: 905 628-4533
Douglas Elliott, McGowan, Elliott & Kim: 416 362-1989
Marilyn Byers, PFLAG York Region: 416 929-2022
Jim Callaghan, PFLAG Canada: 416 651-8387
Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy, Egale: 416 839-7178
Egale: 1-888-204-7777

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Advancing equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified people and their families across Canada