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The Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper is preparing legislation that would allow public officials to refuse to issue marriage licenses or perform civil ceremonies for same-sex couples a Canadian national newspaper reported Wednesday.

The Globe and Mail says that the bill, the Defense of Religions Act, also would exempt members of the clergy, church groups and socially conservative organizations from Canada's hate crimes law if they spoke out against homosexuality. The bill also would allow businesses whose owners object to homosexuality to refuse to do business with gays.

That is so sick and wrong o_o  Sanctioning segregation and hate crimes?  What year is it, 1910?

We believe that since the Conservative government is in a minority position that they are just introducing this legislation to appease the conservative right who backs this government.  It shouldn't pass a vote as the Liberals, the New Democrats, and the BQ should vote against this bill and easily defeat it.  But then stranger things have happened.

Steph

From the sound of it, even if it does pass, it doesn't bar all churches from marrying same-sex couples, only those who wouldn't want to anyways.

Melissa

Exactly, and that part of the bill is consistent with the original marriage legislation. It was never the intent to force churches to marry same sex couples if they didn't want to. The more disturbing part about it is allowing churches free reign to spew homophobic rants.

Dennis

Dennis..

The same proviso exists in the UK Civil Partnerships Act.

Gay civil partnerships are now legally recognized in UK law, BUT the church has no requirement to carry these out. The decision to carry out a gay ceremony is at the discretion of the individual clergy involved.

Becky

It's funny how Brown vs. Board of Education in the US decided that "separate but equal" was discrimination when it came to schooling for black kids, yet the UK and the US have repeatedly said it's ok for gays and lesbians in the realm of marriage.

I'm disappointed in the UK. Especially after that last case where they refused to recognize a marriage performed in Canada because the spouses were both women.

Dennis

It was interesting that when asked about this proposed legislation Stephen Harper told reporters that he hadn't seen it yet.  Ya right.

And yes Dennis you're right that the present laws don't compel clergy to marry same sex couples in their churches etc.  However the part that this proposal also indicates is that businesses would also not be compelled to serve gays and lesbians should this go against their beliefs.

Steph

Wouldn't this all be easier if same-sex marriages were legal worldwide?  It's not like legalizing them would directly affect the people who are offended by them.  They should just mind their own business.  If people didn't try to be so controlling of others, discrimination wouldn't exist.

Melissa

Freedom of association.  I support it for good or ill.  You do not want to marry my partner and I?  That is ok because there are plenty out there who would.  As for a business, they need to comply with all laws and I think a law allowing someone to banish a person due to their perceived orientation or gender is just immoral.