Should Gay Marriages Be Legalized?Essay Preview: Should Gay Marriages Be Legalized?Report this essayShould same sex marriages be legal?Same-sex marriages have been very controversial since becoming an issue in Canada regarding the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Several people state that same-sex marriages should be legal, while others disagree, saying it should not be permitted. There have been many debates and inquiries about this issue for several years; the MPs and Parliament will finally settle the problem within the next year or so. Many are in favour of legalizing same-sex marriages in all of Canada due to the violations and infringes upon the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Problems revolving around same-sex marriages have upset many religious groups. These groups believe that same-sex marriages should not be performed in a church – or at all. Although churches and other places of worship do not approve of same-sex marriages, legalizing same-sex marriages does not breach the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Same-sex marriages should be legalized everywhere in Canada because individuals should be able to express themselves freely without having to feel discriminated against, as stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Denying the fundamental liberties and other rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is unconstitutional and contravenes what the Charter is expected to maintain. The fundamental rights are what the Charter is based on – the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication (Section 2b) will be infringed if same-sex marriages are disallowed. Addressing the issue of the fundamental freedoms on same-sex marriages, Prime Minister Paul Martin quoted:
The Charter is a living document, the heartbeat of our constitution. It is also a proclamation. It declares that as Canadians, we live under a progressive and inclusive set of fundamental beliefs about the value of the individual. It declares that we all are lessened when any one of us is denied a fundamental rightIf we do no step forward, then we step back. If we do not protect a right, then we deny it.
Canada is governed based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Certain parties of the government believe that the government can not and should not pick and choose whose rights they will defend and whose rights they will ignore. If the fundamental rights of one minority can be denied, those of others can potentially be denied as well. The freedom to express yourself is the way a person gains their individuality. If the government seizes that liberty, individuality is being taken away from the world. If same-sex marriages are prohibited, section 2B of the fundamental rights will be infringed as well as the individuality of a person.
Discrimination concerns have also become a problem regarding the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the past, homosexuals were discriminated and penalized for their sexual orientation. They were murdered in the early twentieth century and then later on imprisoned as time passed. Discrimination also arose if employers discovered of their employees homosexual orientation, which caused them to lose their employment. The equality rights have also been violated concerning marriage benefits and the definition as well – (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. Before the definition of marriage was changed, homosexuals were not included under the law stating marriage as the union between a man and a woman. The government found it unconstitutional and changed it so it would correspond to the changes in the twenty-first century and reflect Canadian society in the present stating that marriage is a civil act between two persons. The Civil Marriage Act stated that “The government believes that same-sex couples should have equal access to marriage – anything short of that is less than equal and discriminatory.” Homosexuals should not have to feel discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, the rest of society ought to accept the fact that they are also human beings as well.
Religious institutions strongly disagree with same-sex marriages being legalized. The Catholic Church and other churches firmly believe that legalizing same-sex marriages are wrong and are considered a sin. Marriage is a union between a man and a woman and not of two people within the same sex. A poll surveyed Canadians on what they thought of the traditional definition of marriage and 42% were in support while 35% were opposed and 23% were undecided. On Jan. 19, 2005, Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic urged Prime Minster Martin to consider not passing the same-sex marriage bill, and to use the notwithstanding clause. The Cardinal wrote a letter to the Prime Minister dealing with the different issues of same-sex marriages saying “the conjugal partnership of a man and a woman is the beginning and basis of human society, and the family is the first and vital cell of society.” Allowing same-sex marriages will affect the laws of society, customs, and society as a whole. Children will have to adapt the fact that they have two parents of the same sex. The child may also turn out homosexual as well if different components of the family are missing such as a father or mother. The Cardinal also stated in his letter
The law is a teacher … it will be teaching that homosexuality activity and heterosexual activity are morally equivalent…I urge you, Prime Minister, to table a bill that legislatively enacts the traditional opposite-sex definition of marriage, coupled with a clause that provides for the legislation to take effect notwithstanding the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As you know, the so called notwithstanding clause has a five-year lifespan. A five year period will allow this national discussion sufficient time to occur and to ripen into a sober and careful decision. It will give time for Canada to observe the social experiments now under way in Belgium and the Netherlands, and in other places where legislation implementing same-sex marriage might
The Supreme Court has held that the right to life of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people is protected.
But we need change. Today, a majority of high court rulings support a fundamental right to life.
This will mean the right to be seen and heard by everyone, regardless of religion or political affiliation, regardless of race, gender or sexuality. Justice Paul Kennedy reaffirmed last October
that human rights in this country can be protected not just by legislation but by a strong constitution.
I urge the Canadian government to provide legal clarity on the right to equality which the Canadian Supreme Court has confirmed. And in the mean time, we will use all our power to ensure that, within the meaning of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we are entitled to a basic level of protection from discrimination. That means:
A country where I believe in equality, law and order, in this country I want to be a Liberal MP. I will vote in favour of a Bill that will provide the necessary protections to guarantee equality, law and order at all levels in Canada.
I think that is why I call on the government to create a Canadian Values Division, one that will represent LGBTQ+ people, while respecting traditional beliefs and values.
The Canadian Values Division will be transparent and respectful of the opinions of LGBTQ+ Canadians, while respecting traditional values in Canada.
My views must not be influenced by a partisan government in Ottawa, but rather by the Canadian Values Division.
As you know, there are LGBTQ+ people and LGBTI people of all faiths and political stripes who need to be heard in the House of Commons. In the process, we’ll ensure that these issues have a voice, they have a real impact on Canadians, and we will help create one of the most diverse political systems in Canada for generations. I will support legislation that recognizes the rights of all citizens to live their civil and moral life independently of the political party that opposes them. This will promote the equality and respect of all members and we will ensure that all Canadians are treated equally by the Government of Canada, and by those of us who share their values and who can be proud Canadians.
I urge you to stand up against the discrimination and unfair taxation that will be imposed on us by the Liberals and to call on the Trudeau Government to provide more protections for LGBTI people across Canada. I also urge you to call on ministers and the Prime Minister to appoint LGBTQ+ representatives to positions of honour and of importance in the government and by other members of your Conservative government.
The best we can do during this critical time is to work together to ensure that, in the end, an equal partnership between Canadians on the same side of the issue and in matters of the marriage equality debate is possible.
Now, with the passage of Bill C-48 that will protect all Canadians from the current discrimination that is driving our national debate and my view has changed in the 21
- On September 2, after the vote in the House, I joined the LGBTI Human Resources Committee to remind our MPPs of Canada’s need for more equal access work for all Canadians. I call upon you to stand up against the discrimination and unfair taxation that will be imposed on us by the Liberals and to call on the Trudeau Government to provide more protections for LGBTI people across Canada.
On the day we announced the decision to change the Liberal Government’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, we heard from across the country. There were several people at the time who thought the Bill C-48 was a positive win for families of the LGBTI community, because it made it possible for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s future, while also making it easy for our youth to get information about what they need to know.
I believe that today, we have had a very important decision to make in the last 48 hours. It is clear to me that, now more than ever, there’s a fundamental divide, that is damaging our children’s prospects for marriage equality.But I also know that one of the greatest lessons to be learned from this divisive, ill-considered legislation will be that every individual has the right to make their own choices and choose in the interest of society. These are important decisions for all and they alone are not sufficient to guarantee equal rights for all, regardless of place or state of residence. The Liberal Liberals have shown that they will stand up for marriage equality.
My call to action on the Bill C-48 is to call on the Prime Minister to issue a specific statement that includes some important measures to ensure that equal access work is not only done for LGBTQ+ families, but other LGBTI people as well. The public should believe that if a child is living alone and unable to support their own family, or if that child leaves a Canadian parent, but who has access to a financial support institution, then what that support needs to pay for is based on the amount of money they will be spending on family, or if they are taking out loans for a place to live, or housing. I call upon the government to take the appropriate steps to ensure that LGBTI families at all incomes can live in their own communities and not struggle for the same rights that our LGBTI families would enjoy under this law. This must be a strong message that families in need deserve safe, affordable care, access equal access and access to good healthcare in this country.
The best we can do during this critical time is to work together to ensure that, in the end, an equal partnership between Canadians on the same side of the issue and in matters of the marriage equality debate is possible.
Now, with the passage of Bill C-48 that will protect all Canadians from the current discrimination that is driving our national debate and my view has changed in the 21Today, I join with hundreds of my fellow MPs at the House of Commons to demand the repeal of Bill C-48, including those of Justin Trudeau and his Liberal colleague Lisa Raitt.
Tonight