THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF EQUAL MARRIAGE - over 10,000 married same-sex couples

(TORONTO and OTTAWA, June 9) This weekend marks the third anniversary of equal marriage in Canada. On June 10, 2003, the Ontario Court of Appeal ordered that marriage licences be issued to same-sex couples in Canada’s largest province and paved the way for marriage equality from coast to coast to coast. (Click here for legal backgrounder.)

Since then, over 10,000 same-sex couples have obtained marriage licences and been legally married. This number is based on research done by Canadians for Equal Marriage working with lawyers from across Canada. A regional breakdown is provided below.

To mark this historic occasion, celebrations are being held at noon today in Toronto and Ottawa, featuring champagne and wedding cake. CEM has also arranged for same-sex couples across Canada to be available to the media, as listed below.

“Over 10,000 marriage licences have been issued to same-sex couples since June 10, 2003,” said Kaj Hasselriis, National Spokesperson of Canadians for Equal Marriage. “That’s over 20,000 people. They’ve had large elaborate weddings and small intimate ones. They’ve been married at city halls, wedding halls, and in churches and synagogues. They’ve brought friends and families together. These weddings were all special, but they’ve also become commonplace.”

“Joyce and I were married on June 13, 2003,” said Alison Kemper, wife of Joyce Barnett. “This Tuesday we’ll be celebrating our third wedding anniversary. Our wedding was such a wonderful event, one that brought us together with our friends and family and that gave us a strong feeling of support and of love. I think it was especially important for our children.”

“I’m so happy that my parents got married because it means that my family is indeed a real family,” added Robbie Barnett-Kemper, the 14 year old son of Alison and Joyce.

“It’s important for Canadians to understand the positive impact that equal marriage has had on our lives over the past three years,” said Laurie Arron, National Coordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage. “Equal marriage has had a positive impact not only on the over 10,000 married same-sex couples, but also on all those who no longer feel like second-class citizens. Equal marriage has helped Canada cement its position as a world leader in human rights.”

“It’s too bad this celebration is clouded by Mr. Harper’s threat to roll back the clock on equality,” added Mr. Arron. “I wonder if he realizes the hurt and division being caused by his threat to take away our right to marry. I wonder what he’d say to the 10,000 same-sex couples who are now married, to all those who would like to marry in the future, and to their children.”

According to two recent Environics polls (conducted last November, 2005 and January, 2006), 2/3 of Canadians are against re-opening this divisive debate.

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For more information, please contact:
Kaj Hasselriis, 613.237.3985 (o), 613.255.3790 (c)
Laurie Arron, 416.839.7178 (c)

Marriage Licences – Regional Breakdown

Province / Territory... Equal marriage date... Marriage licences issued

British Columbia... July 8, 2003... 3,107
Alberta... July 20, 2005... 293
Saskatchewan... Nov. 5, 2004... 68
Manitoba... Sept. 16, 2004... 130
Ontario... June 10, 2003... 5,576
Quebec... March 19, 2004... 702
New Brunswick... June 23, 2005... 36
Nova Scotia... Sept 24, 2004... 192
Prince Edward Island... July 20, 2005... 7
Newfoundland and Labrador... Dec. 21, 2004... 12
Yukon... July 14, 2004... 10
Northwest Territories... July 20, 2005... 2
Nunavut... July 20, 2005... 1

Total Canada... 10,136

NOTES:
1. Numbers are as of May or June 2006, except BC and much of Ontario are as of April 30, 2006 and Nfld and Labrador are as of December 31, 2005.

2. Numbers for NB, PEI, NWT and Nunavut are estimates.

3. In Ontario the province does not separately track marriage registrations for same-sex couples. Data was obtained municipality by municipality. The total is a combination of 4,771 known and 805 estimated.


Media who wish to speak with a married same-sex couple in their area should contact Laurie at Canadians for Equal Marriage at 416 839-7178.