Two gay couples in Toronto believe they got married legally Jan. 14.
Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell, and Elaine Vautour and Anne Vautour were married by the Reverend Brent Hawkes at the Metropolitan Community Church after, in accord with the Ontario Marriage Act, the church announced the couples' marriage "banns" three Sundays in a row.
Announcing marriage plans three weeks in a row in church carries the same legal weight as obtaining a marriage license at city hall. The statute states: "Any person who is of the age of majority may obtain a license or be married under the authority of the publication of banns, provided no lawful cause exists to hinder the solemnization."
Following the double wedding, Hawkes issued legal marriage certificates to the couples and sent the certificates to the Ontario Registrar-General. The provincial government has said it will not record the marriages because the federal government does not allow same-sex marriage, but Hawkes says that doesn't matter.
"The fact that I'm required by law to submit that documentation to the government to be registered doesn't affect the marriage," he told the CBC. "There are even cases in law in the Marriage Act if, through negligence, the clergyperson fails to meet the requirement to submit the documentation within two days it doesn't affect the marriage of the couple. They're still married."
A protracted legal battle is expected.