Press Release

Canadians for Equal Marriage

September 25, 2003

Support of Same-sex Marriage Growing

National Organization Has Chapters in Every Province and Territory

1.3 million e-mail messages supporting same-sex marriage sent to MPs in one week

In their first two weeks of operations, Canadians for Equal Marriage have been overwhelmed by the amount of support shown across the country for passage of federal same-sex marriage legislation.

In the one week they have had their website running, 1.3 million e-mail messages of support have been sent to MPs through their site. Many of the individuals composed heart-felt personal messages calling for equal treatment for gays and lesbians; some choose the pre-written messages regarding either equality, human rights or inclusion.

Canadians for Equal Marriage (www.equal-marriage.ca) is a broad-based national campaign, formed to support the passage of equal marriage legislation for same-sex couples. The coalition was born with the active involvement of many groups and individuals, including Egale Canada, the United Church of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Labour Congress, the Metropolitan Community Church, CUPE and PFLAG Canada (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).

In its two-week existence, Canadians for Equal Marriage have formed local chapters in over 35 towns and cities. The campaign is working closely with the Quebec based organization Coalition québécoise pour le mariage civil des couples de même sexe which has been active since 1998. The campaign is engaged in grassroots lobbying, public education, media activities and political mobilizing.

For more information NATIONALLY:
Bob Gallagher, CFEM National Coordinator: 416-456-4043 cell; 613-230-1043 office
Laurie Arron, CFEM Political Coordinator: 416-972-7481
Cicely McWilliam, CFEM Outreach Coordinator: 416-972-7481 cell: 416.705.7578

For more information LOCALLY:
Atlantic Canada:
St. John: Gemma Hickey, 709.685.5971
Corner Brook: Michael Parker, 709.639.7966
Halifax: Ian Crowe, 902.425.4207
St. John’s: Sarah Werner, 506.642.1284
Moncton: Art Toole, 506.382.5837
Sackville: Eldon Hay, 506.536.0599
Nash Creek: Wayne Lapointe, 506.237.5547

Quebec (Coalition québécoise pour le mariage civil des couples de même sexe):
Montreal: Evangeline Caldwell, 514.482.6310
Francis Lagacé, 514.723.0415

Ontario:
Ottawa: Christopher Khng, 819.994.0659
Peterborough: Jose Botero, 705.760.9707
Lindsay: David McKinstry, 705.786.0762
York Region: Ian McCallum, 416.318.8042
Toronto: Cicely McWilliam, 416.705.7578
Niagara: Douglas Saunders, 905.993.2070
London: Pat Shanahan, 519.675.7675
Chatham-Kent: Mike Ondrovcik, 519.351.9248
Halton: Deborah Kent-Eaton 519.853.0918
Thunder Bay: Rev. Don Uhryniw, 807.625.9474

Prairies:
Winnipeg: Brad Taylor-West, 204.452.2304
Winnipeg: Michelle Ritchot, 204.478.1370
Regina: Donna Smith, 306.757.9292
Calgary: Stephen Lock, 403.708.5302
Edmonton: Murray Billet, 780.482.7421
Medicine Hat: Richard Gregory, 403.529.3967
Red Deer: Andrew McDonald, 403.343.4681

British Colombia:
Vancouver: Craig Maynard, 604.790.8751
Prince George: Theresa Healy, 250.690.6052
Victoria: Robin Roberts, 250.477.2751
Wendy Young, 250.562.8210

Northern Canda:
Iqualuit: Allison Brewer, 867.975.1561
Whitehorse: Kelly-Anne Malcomson, 867.393.3018
Yellowknife: Don Babey, 867.920.2777 ext. 311

Youth/Student:
CFS: Rick Telfer, 416.993.4344
U of T SAC: Ashley Morton, 416.471.9815

Egale Canada ©2010

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