I have to say I'm a pretty proud Canadian. It's a bit of a joke that lots of Canadians define themselves by the differences between our country and other countries, which, almost by default means "not the US." This may have more to do with our inferiority complex than actual differences. I like that we tend to be more liberal than other countries (even if that may only be perception now).

Apparently, though, with the election of Steven Harper, one of the things I truly see as something which sets us apart from other countries may no longer be. Word from this article is that now, after allowing same sex marriage for some time (the first marriage was in 2001, but same sex marriage has been sanctioned nationally since this December of 2004), the new government, well known for its right wing "Christian" members, will now re-open the debate on same sex marriage this fall. The previous government put the question to the Supreme Court of Canada which held that the current definition of marriage involving a man and a woman was discriminatory in its exclusion of gay and lesbian couples.

I like the idea that Canada has same sex MARRIAGE and not the lesser cousin of "civil unions." It's ironically the fault of many of the same conservative party who outright refused years ago to have civil unions that we have same sex marriage now. Had they agreed to allow civil unions at the time (ie something "officially equal to marriage") then there likely would have never been same sex marriage because the civil unions would probably wouldn't have been labeled discriminatory by the courts.

I know "opening the debate up" doesn't mean that same-sex couples won't be allowed marry. In fact, from what I understand a free vote in Parliament would still likely pass. I guess what bothers me is the fact that my fellow Canadians object to same sex marriage. It's not that they aren't entitled to their opinions, but that I see the issue as being fairly one-sided: discrimination on the basis of who you love is not cool, and as a "progressive" society we shouldn't even have to debate that.

I had it pretty easy as a kid. One of the things that I think probably made it easier for me was that I happened to have liked boys, which is, I guess, what society expects girls to do. But, I'd like to think that if I liked girls that I would have still met with society's approval and been allowed to marry the person I loved.

The opening of this debate again really seems like a huge step backward. I can't help but see the current "debate" about same sex marriage in a historical context. It wasn't too long ago that women just didn't have the "fortitude" (or however it was described) to be in the workplace, or that visible minorities couldn't do as good a job as their pastier counterparts. To me the debate is the same, the only thing that's changed is the "target."

We're planning our wedding right now, and I think of gay and lesbian brides an grooms reading that article and wonder what it would be like to be planning a wedding, not only worried about the usual photographer, what to wear, and who to sit beside whom, but that after everything there would be no guarantee that your wedding will actually result in you being married.

I'm not sure what else to say, other than I hope that my fellow Canadians and Parliamentarians will think twice about sending us back in time to a place where discrimination is sanctioned by government.

My long overdue election comment

I can't believe Steven Harper is our new prime minister. Seriously.

I'll keep this brief because with a degree in poli sci I tend to foam at the mouth about politics.

I believe in a woman's right to choose. I think same sex marriage is long overdue. I believe that the way we treat the weakest in our society speaks volumes about our society. I don't believe the US was right to invade Iraq. I have a healthy respect for parliamentary politics and hate glib statements about "corrupt politicians." I like official bilingualism, and think we need to do better things for Canada's aboriginal communities. I like our multiculturalism and diverse immigrant population and think we can do more to help other nations in the throes of development. I don't believe tax breaks for the rich and corporations. I hate the glib "your taxes are too high" rhetoric. I like that if I get sick, I don't have to worry about whether my health insurance will cover it or not, and whether we'll go bankrupt if they don't. I think everyone should be entitled to the same excellent health care when they are sick.

So, I'm disappointed. Even if the election really turned into a referendum on the sponsorship inquiry, electing Harper was not the solution. It's a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face, frankly.

So, now that they have been asked to form the government, I'm going to need stress relief. Like a kid, this for me will partially come in the form of making fun of our new leader. (see above picture and note how I cleverly put it on the right margin! hah!)

Click here to distort Harper's face in various directions.

Might as well laugh, right?