As a queer, neo-pagan Canadian, I want to say how proud of my country it made me feel to read about Paula Walowitz and her partner Jean's marriage in Toronto [Windy City Times, Aug. 6, 2003 issue cover story]. For the benefit of other readers, be aware that Ontario and British Columbia are currently performing and recognising same-sex marriages, and it's very likely that Quebec will be soon. Our federal government is developing legislation to define marriage, nationwide, as a union of two persons. It's by no means a given that this will pass, because our religious right—and we do have one—is pulling out all the stops to prevent it. We still have a fight ahead of us, but I think we have the will to prevail.
Rick Innis
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I just wanted to write a note to congratulate Jean and Paula on their recent marriage, and to echo their sentiments about what a wonderful experience marrying in Toronto is.
My long-term girlfriend and I married on July 5 and everyone we met was so supportive, so friendly, so excited for us. I would have loved Toronto anyway—it's a very successful mix of Europe and America—but the attitude of the city and its inhabitants was so embracing that I intend to give them my tourist dollars for the foreseeable future. I recommend the city to everyone: Toronto is a great place to vacation, and a warm and romantic place to marry.
So much in Paula's article hit home for me, from the difference actually having a legal marriage ceremony made to us despite our skepticism [the power of theater, folks], to our current dilemma about how to refer to each other [I can't bring myself to call her my 'wife' even though that's what she is], to the instant bond we made with the other couples we met getting our license. Even the pictures showing them in the familiar Toronto City Hall Wedding Chambers made me a little misty. I'm going to have to watch the video of our wedding again. Sigh.
Tamara Fraser Bliss without a hitch
[Regarding the Sun-Times series on marriage:] Ironically, your series quotes the anti-gay Bush administration's main marriage propagandist as saying that ''government ought not be in the business of coercing people to get married or not to get married.''
It must be OK, though, to forbid marriage altogether. A lot of same-sex couples would agree that it's good to marry. The trouble is, their enemies won't allow them to do it.
The same advantages that marriage is supposed to bring could also be enjoyed by same-sex couples and the children that so many of them have. Their enemies won't let them. Meanwhile, the proportion of legally married households has plummeted nearly 20 percent in 30 years. So much for ''protecting'' marriage.
My beloved male partner and I [just observed] our 24th anniversary together. We get no state recognition of it, much less help. In fact, we get taxed more heavily than a different-sex married couple, yet have many fewer rights. We're stable and contribute to society.
Can we be blamed if we show some disdain for your marriage series?
William B. Kelley, Uptown
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