August 2015

The History of Gay Marriage in Canada

Canadian thumbs up in front of gay marriage flagThe United States Supreme Court heard arguments on the legality of same-sex unions on April 28. It is a long time coming, and the gay marriage movement has steadily been gaining support south of the border. Thirty-seven states in the U.S. allow same-sex weddings, but they are still banned in 13 others. In 2005, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled gay marriage was legal throughout the nation.

Legal Ruling in Favor of Gay Marriage

Canada was the fourth country after the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain to permit same-sex unions. Prior to the Supreme Court of Canada’s decisive ruling on the issue on July 20, 2005, eight of the 10 provinces and one of the three territories had already legalized it. Ontario was the first province to sanction same-sex unions and did so on June 10, 2003.

Major Events and Milestones

Canada has a long and varied history on gay rights and same-sex unions.

1965

Northwest Territories resident Everett Klippert admitted to having sexual relations with men over a period of two decades. He was deemed an “incurable homosexual,” labeled a “dangerous sex offender,” and sent to jail in 1967. The Canadian Supreme Court endorsed his imprisonment in controversial 3–2 vote.

1967

Justice Minister, and future Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau proposed legislation that would soften anti-homosexuality laws.

1969

Homosexual is decriminalized when Trudeau’s amendments are passed.

1971

Everett Klippert is released from prison.

Feb. 5, 1981

Over 300 men were arrested in Toronto after police raided gay bath houses. The next evening, more than 3,000 people march to protest the arrests.

1985

In 1985, The “Equality for All” report is released by Parliament’s Committee on Equality Rights. The committee members expressed dismay at the treatment of many Canadian homosexuals including discrimination, harassment, abuse and hate propaganda. They proposed the Canadian Human Rights Act be altered to make discrimination against individuals due to their sexual orientation a crime. The following year, the government issues the “Toward Equality” paper stating, “The government will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that sexual orientation is a prohibiting ground of discrimination in relation to all areas of federal jurisdiction.”

1988

British Columbia politician Svend Robinson announced he is homosexual. He is the first MP to do so and is re-elected for the eighth time the following year.

1992

In August of 1992, the Ontario Court of Appeals ruled sexual orientation should be included in the Canadian Human Rights Act and any failure to do is prejudicial. Later in the year, the ban on gays in the military is ended by the federal courts.

1999

A May ruling by the Canadian Supreme Court grants homosexual couples the same access to social program benefits to which they contribute as heterosexual common-law couples. Despite this ruling and the resulting changes to numerous laws to comply with it, Parliament votes by a wide margin to keep the definition of “marriage” as the union of two people of the opposite sex.

June 10, 2003

On June 10, 2003, Toronto couple Michael Leshner and Michael Stark are wed after the Ontario Court of Appeals upholds a lower court decision permitting gay marriages.

July 20, 2005

Bill C-38 is passed officially legalizing same-sex unions across Canada.

7, 2006

Conservatives attempt to continue the discussion on the legality of gay marriage and the measure is defeated in the House of Commons by over 50 votes.

Famous Gay Canadians

There are number of well-known gay Canadians including:

  • K.D. Lang – Musician
  • Kathleen Wynne – First openly homosexual premier
  • David Furnish – Writer, film director, producer, and husband of Elton John
  • Rick Mercer – TV host and comedian
  • Rex Harrington – National Ballet of Canada former principal dancer

Canada has been one of the most progressive countries in the world on gay rights and gay marriage. It remains to be seen if the United States will follow suit.

Pop-Up Weddings: An Easy, Low-Cost Way to Tie the Knot

Pop-up Wedding chapel sign in Las Vegas, Nevada

From Sydney to Washington, D.C., to Vancouver, more and more couples are choosing pop-up weddings, which is an innovative and unique way to get hitched. Described as a “fancy way to elope,” this new trend is growing in popularity. Vancouver-based Pop Up Wedding BC is leading the way.

How Do Pop-Up Weddings Work?

At a pop-up wedding, multiple ceremonies are scheduled throughout the course of a day at the same venue. The nuptials take place at different times, but the cost of each is lower because the day’s expenses are shared among each event and they are economies of scale. All the details such as flowers, photographer, officiant, caterer and DJ are pre-planned so the couples and their guests only need to show-up and enjoy. A variety of options and packages are available, but prices can be as low as $1,050 for the most budget conscious. Each year, new locations are added to the list.

Upcoming Dates BC

Pop Up Wedding BC has several upcoming events.

  • August 8, 2015
    • Vintage Garden Wedding in Abbotsford, B.C. – all three packages sold out.
  • August 9, 2015
    • 10 packages available
    • Wedding will take place at a secret location in Downtown Vancouver.
    • Each event is for 10 to 20 guests.
    • Prices range from $1,050 to $2,999 depending on whether or not there is a reception.
  • July 2016
    • Mountaintop Wedding
    • You and up to eight guest will take a helicopter to a scenic mountaintop for the wedding ceremony.
    • A reception in the hangar with additional guests can also be added.
  • August 13 & 14, 2016
    • Chilliwack farm wedding
    • Up to 100 guests
    • Choose from a morning reception, or lunch or dinner BBQ in a rustic barn on the property
  • September 10 & 11, 2016
    • Vintage Garden Wedding in Abbotsford, B.C.
    • Up to 100 Guests
    • Three options: Ceremony only, morning brunch and evening reception
  • December 3, 2016
    • University of British Columbia Boathouse wedding
    • Stunning setting on the Fraser River with scenic views of the North Shore Mountains.
    • Six elopement ceremonies for up to 40 guests.
    • One reception package for up to 100 guests.

Las Vegas Anyone?

While the Las Vegas wedding chapel experience is not the same thing as a pop-up wedding, there are some similarities. Tying the knot in Las Vegas is one of the easiest, fastest and least expensive ways to get married.

  • Marriage License

You do need a marriage license from the Las Vegas Wedding Bureau, but the Court House is open 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays. The cost is $60 and you will also need to bring a valid driver’s license or passport.

  • Length of Ceremony

The actual ceremony typically last 15–20 minutes, but it is a good idea to allow some extra time for pictures and anything else that may come up.

  • Attire

You can wear whatever you choose. Many Las Vegas wedding chapels also have bridal gowns and tuxedos for rent. It is smart to call ahead to reserve your outfits and determine whether or not they require alterations.

  • Packages

The most basic package usually costs around $100 and includes the ceremony, music, 10 pictures on a disc, minister and witness, if needed. Other more expensive packages can feature items like flowers, a video recording of the nuptials, shuttle service, extra pictures and even trays of appetizers for guests.

Some couples prefer a “destination” package. This can include being picked up at your hotel with a limo and getting married any place you choose on the strip. Some wedding chapels will also arrange weddings at scenic Red Rock Canyon, which is approximately 45 minutes from Las Vegas.

The cost of weddings continues to rise. Having a pop-up wedding or getting married in Las Vegas are two options that can be more affordable while still having special significance for the couple.

Die-Hard Maple Leafs Fans Tie the Knot at Center Ice

ThinkstockPhotos-78371241A traditional church wedding is no longer a marriage requirement. Many couples are choosing less conventional places to tie the knot. Exchanging vows at a sporting venue is one of countless options. On March 19, a Toronto couple, who are big Maple Leafs fans, was married on the ice at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Hockey Wedding

In early March, Jennifer Rogers and Scott Protomanni won a contest that allowed them to get married at center ice, with a reception at a suite in the arena included. Rogers and Protomanni watched every league game while they were dating and were selected over hundreds of other couples who entered the contest. Family and friends cheered them on from the stands as they exchanged vows.

A blue carpet had been placed on the ice so no one slipped around during the ceremony, and they had their first dance there as well. The couple wore jerseys that said “bride” and “groom” on the back. Rogers carried a blue and white bouquet and there were hockey stick decorations. Carlton the Bear, the Leafs’ mascot, was the ring bearer. The couple also received a pair of tickets to the San Jose Sharks game scheduled for later in the evening. Their rings were provided courtesy of jeweler and sponsor Michael Hill.

“I Do Day” in Rio

In another arena wedding, 2,000 couples exchanged vows at the Maracanazinho Arena in Rio de Janeiro in December. The annual event has been nicknamed “Dia do Sim” or “I Do Day.” It was promoted by the city and created to help low-income couples—who were unable to pay for a wedding—get married. Couples with a monthly income of up to $1,000 were permitted to participate. Local authorities also booked special trains for the couples and their guests to transport them to the arena. Volunteer civil judges oversaw the ceremony, and a Roman Catholic bishop and evangelical minister blessed the couples. Some couples had waited years to get married and a number of them brought their kids along. The Maracanazinho Arena will be the site of the volleyball competition during the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Tips for Proposing at a Sports Stadium

While some people choose to marry at sports arenas, others opt to pop the question there. Here are a few tips if you are considering proposing at one.

  • Know the Answer Will Be Yes

In general, it is nice to be relatively confident that you will receive the answer you want to hear when you pop the question. If you are going to do so before thousands of people, it is even more important. The moment will be pretty embarrassing if the answer is no.

  • Be Sure Your Significant Other Will Like It

Not everyone wants to get engaged at a sports area. According to The Knot, a leading wedding planning website, only 10 percent of women like the idea of being proposed to at a stadium. If your significant other is a big sports fan, it may be a wonderful idea. Another issue is that not everyone wants to get engaged in such a public way, which may also include sports fans. You don’t want to spoil this momentous occasion by making your significant other uncomfortable in front of an arena’s worth of people.

  • The Details

If you are considering a stadium proposal, it is a good idea to do your research. Typically, there is a fee for doing this and it can cost up to several hundred dollars. You will probably have to be brief; even stadiums with large jumbotrons often limit the size of messages to 10 or 12 words.

A sports stadium wedding was ideal for Jennifer Rogers and Scott Protomanni and may be worth investigating if you and your partner like the idea. Proposing at an area can be a different affair altogether.