Major Story From Canada: Good News
First the good news! In an attempt to circumvent the same-sex marriage laws in Canada, the conservative Alliance Party introduced a bill into Parliament that would have restricted the legal definition of marriage to the union of a woman and a man. Because of the wording and the political strategy, there was a significant chance the bill would pass -- which would be a setback for the GLBT communities.

When the votes were tallied, the bill narrowly failed -- a major victory for GLBT citizens in Canada!

Now to the other, breaking news which occurred today. The first legally married same-sex couple in Canada was refused entry into the U.S. today because an American customs officer would not accept their clearance forms as a family.

Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell, who were legally married under a reading of the banns at MCC Toronto (Toronto, Canada) in January 2001, said they ended their trip to Georgia because a U.S. customs official at Toronto's Pearson airport insisted they fill out separate forms as single people.

Bourassa said he complained to a customs supervisor and was told the couple wouldn't be allowed to enter the U.S. as a family because the country doesn't recognize same-sex marriages.

Bourassa, who works as an advocate for same-same marriage, said the couple made the decision not to fill out separate forms because they felt it was an insult to their dignity. They were heading to Georgia to speak at a human rights conference.

The couple's lawyer, Doug Elliott, said he has spoken to Ottawa on the issue and is investigating whether legal action can be taken against the governments of Canada and the U.S.

More information on Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell's activism can be found on-line. Contact UFMCC for a link.