(no subject)
oh, i almost forgot.
BILL C-38 PASSED!!!! i'm so pleased with the government for the first time in who knows how long.
it is now legal for same sex couples to marry in canada. the legislation grants gays and lesbians the rights to full civil marriages, but leaves it up to religious officials to choose whether or not to peform the marriages within their religious institutions. but now any couple, no matter the genders, can walk on in to their local city hall or justice of the peace and get a full marriage license. woo hoo!
the president of the victoria pride society was at lucky last night and gave a speech about the queer community's shared history and politics. he spoke really well. it's really powerful to think about how much things have changed in such a short time. the stonewall riots began on june 27, 1969, almost exactly 36 years ago. 36 short years ago (and in times since), queers have been persecuted with violence, hatred, murder, and intolerance from institutions and individuals alike. 36 years ago, queers fought back against the police brutality of raids on their spaces in bars ... today, the police chiefs of many major canadian (and american) cities march alongside of us in our pride parades.
even though so much has been accomplished, there is still so much more to do. it was only in 1998 that matthew shepard was beaten and tied to a fence post to die in laramie, wyoming. enduring homophobia is still a daily part of the lives of so many people. but i consider myself lucky to live in a country that recognizes my equality as a human being on par with all other canadian citizens. i'm glad that i live somewhere where i am not persecuted by my government or by my country's legal system. other people are not so lucky. homosexuality is still illegal in many countries including singapore, malaysia, myanmar, and the indian subcontinent (thanks, victorian britain!). i hope that i will see that change within my lifetime, and see improvement in the attitudes of people living in north america also.
BILL C-38 PASSED!!!! i'm so pleased with the government for the first time in who knows how long.
it is now legal for same sex couples to marry in canada. the legislation grants gays and lesbians the rights to full civil marriages, but leaves it up to religious officials to choose whether or not to peform the marriages within their religious institutions. but now any couple, no matter the genders, can walk on in to their local city hall or justice of the peace and get a full marriage license. woo hoo!
the president of the victoria pride society was at lucky last night and gave a speech about the queer community's shared history and politics. he spoke really well. it's really powerful to think about how much things have changed in such a short time. the stonewall riots began on june 27, 1969, almost exactly 36 years ago. 36 short years ago (and in times since), queers have been persecuted with violence, hatred, murder, and intolerance from institutions and individuals alike. 36 years ago, queers fought back against the police brutality of raids on their spaces in bars ... today, the police chiefs of many major canadian (and american) cities march alongside of us in our pride parades.
even though so much has been accomplished, there is still so much more to do. it was only in 1998 that matthew shepard was beaten and tied to a fence post to die in laramie, wyoming. enduring homophobia is still a daily part of the lives of so many people. but i consider myself lucky to live in a country that recognizes my equality as a human being on par with all other canadian citizens. i'm glad that i live somewhere where i am not persecuted by my government or by my country's legal system. other people are not so lucky. homosexuality is still illegal in many countries including singapore, malaysia, myanmar, and the indian subcontinent (thanks, victorian britain!). i hope that i will see that change within my lifetime, and see improvement in the attitudes of people living in north america also.