Same Sex Marriage

It's been a long time since Canada has taken a lead on an issue, perhaps not since our lead in de-landmine-ification. As a matter of basic human rights, my own belief is that this is a good piece of legislation, making us only the third country in the world to have passed such a bill. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is wrong. An overwhelming number of Canadians would agree. But then why are we so divided when it comes to marriage? Why are they not granted the same rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as everyone else? Some want to take this same Charter that protects religious freedoms and minorities away from another group of minorities. How can one justify this? This legislation has nothing to do with religious marriage or religious freedoms. In fact, it reaffirms religious freedoms. What it does do is put into law what the highest court in the land and many provicinal courts have already unanimously ruled - that to disallow same sex marriage is unconstituional. This legislation takes no rights away but affirms the right of a minority, that to a civil marriage. No church would be forced to perform a religious marriage if it choses not to, thus religious freedom is reaffirmed. It is clear to me that this is a step forward toward greater equality in a country which prides itself as being understanding and compassionate, in a country that we embrace as a land composed of a diverse group of minorities.