\by Rex Wockner and Shaun Longstreet
OTTAWA, Canada—The gay couple from the most-recent season of TV's The Amazing Race—Lynn Warren and Alex Ali—got married here June 1.
Eight of Canada's 13 provinces and territories have granted same-sex couples full access to marriage. There are no residency requirements or, except in Quebec, waiting periods.
'We are extremely grateful to the people of Ottawa and Canada,' Ali, 23, said after the ceremony. 'It's great to come to a place where people celebrate love.'
'Canada is like a second home,' said Warren, 30. 'Thank you to the lawmakers who voted in favor of gay marriage. Those who voted against gay marriage, they should move south and work for Bush.
'Getting married is much more thrilling than The Amazing Race because the prize at the end is true love, and a happy life ever after,' he added.
In reality, same-sex marriage came to Canada via court rulings rather than parliamentary action.
About 400 people attended the wedding, and other well-wishers cheered from outside the Congress Centre. There were no protesters though there was a clear police presence.
Warren and Ali released a pair of white doves before taking their vows. They wore dark brown suits accented with pink.
Ali's sister was his maid of honor and Warren's brother was his best man. Ali's parents refused to attend the wedding, but an aunt and uncle who helped raise him did attend.
Travel and other expenses related to the wedding were paid by the Ottawa radio station Hot 89.9, which broadcast the wedding live. Jubilee Fine Jewellers donated platinum diamond rings valued at $5,000.