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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2003)
jufy 1S.2ÛÛ3- 1 IWìTTTìl news B.C. B ound PAINT YOUR OWN POTS HANDMADE GIFT GALLERY U.S. same-sex couples can now marry in Vancouver by Rex Wockner reformulation of the common-law definition of second Canadian province legal ized full same-sex marriage July 8. marriage to permit same-sex marriages, and an British Columbia’s Court of order that the clerk of the city of Toronto issue Appeal followed in the foot marriage licenses to the same-sex couples who had been denied licenses.... The federal gov steps of Ontario’s Court of Appeal, which forced legalization of same- ernment has instructed its counsel not to appeal either the Ontario Court of Appeal sex marriage June 10. decision...or the decision of this court, Less than an hour after the new mling, Tom and...marriages between same-sex couples Graff and Anthony Porcino were married in front of Vancouver, British Columbia’s Law have been taking place in Ontario. “Any further delay in implementing the Courts building by United Church minister remedies [of our May 1 decision! will result in Tim Stevenson, a gay member of the Vancou an unequal application of the law as between ver City Council. Both provinces’ highest courts declared the federal government’s opposite-sex definition of marriage unconstitutional. The fed eral government has agreed with that conclusion and is in the process of formally legalizing same-sex mar riage nationwide. In the meantime, hun dreds of same-sex couples already have married in Ontario and now weddings have begun in British Columbia as well. Neither province has a residency requirement for marriage. Foreign same-sex couples can Anthony Porcino (left) places a ring on the finger of his partner, buy a marriage license and Tom Graff, during a wedding ceremony July 8 in Vancouver, get married the same day. British Columbia The British Columbia Oxirt of Appeal initially struck down the feder Ontario and British Qdumbia, with same-sex al definition of marriage May 1 but suspended its couples being denied the right to marry in British Qilumbia until July 12, 2004, while ruling until July 2004 to give the feds time to same-sex couples in Ontario may marry as and rewrite the marriage laws. Subsequently, when they chexise to do so. The court is satis Ontario’s Quirt of Appeal struck down the fed fied that it is appropriate to amend the order in eral definition of marriage but did not include a these appeals to lift the suspension of remedies, grace period. In light of the Ontario ruling, the with the result that the declaratory relief and British Columbia court decided to close the gap, the reformulation of the common-law defini thereby legalizing same-sex marriage in the tion of marriage as 'the lawful union of two per province instantly. The court stated: “The Ontario Court of sons to the exclusion of all others’ will take immediate effect. "jm Appeal...granted immediate relief, including a G etting H itched ere are excerpts from the provincial Vital Statistic Agency’s “how to” on getting married in British Columbia: “The Marriage Act requires that you obtain a marriage license.... The bride or groom must apply in person to the Marriage License Issuer in your community. Only one member of the couple needs to apply for the license, but you will be asked to provide identification for both the bride and the groom. Information required with identification will include: full name, including given names; birth date and birth place; marital status [and| current address. A fee must be paid at the time of application. “You do not have to be a B.C. resident in order to be married here, but the license is only valid in this province. Blood tests are not required under B.C. legislation. If one or both of the intended parties was recently divorced (within the last 31 days), proof of divorce must be provided. ‘Couples can choose a religious or civil cere mony. Either type of ceremony must he witnessed by two people. Religious ceremonies are per formed by a religious representative of your choice, as long as they are registered with the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency under H the Marriage Act. Civil ceremonies are performed by marriage commissioners, who are appointed by the executive director of Vital Statistics. Contact the marriage commissioner directly to make an appointment and arrangements. “The religious representative or marriage commissioner who performs the wedding cere mony will also help to complete the necessary Marriage Registration Form. This form is then sent within 48 hours of the marriage ceremony by the religious representative or marriage commissioner to the Vital Statistics Agency, where the marriage is registered and a legal record is kept. At the time of the ceremony, your religious representative or marriage com missioner may provide you with a statement of marriage—this interim document can be used temporarily to prove that you are married. After the marriage, and following the receipt and registration of the Marriage Registration Form, a permanent Marriage Certificate will be automatically mailed to the bride and groom from the Vital Statistics Agency." To download forms and for additional details, including how to find a marriage license issuer and a marriage commissioner, visit www.vs.gov.bc.ca/marriage/howto.html. —RW /\ cozy “paint your own pots” ceramic studio. O^rop-in or schedule your own private party! ... we have all the colors of the rainbow! 1718 NE ALBERTA STREET 503.288.0770 it's ME! ! 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