Harper's Government Finds a Way

Canada's Federal Government took steps this week to undermine queer equality. Please read all about it here.

Just about as worrisome as this development, is that Harper's government has said they will clarify this situation legislatively. It's a pretty safe bet that any legislation this government enacts will maximize the disenfranchisement of queers. I urge you to write a quick, two-line email to your MP with your opinion on the matter; you can find their email addresses here.

Here's the letter I just wrote to my MP:

Dear Mr Rae,

I am writing to you as a concerned voter who lives in Toronto Centre. I read with dismay the news that the Federal Government has taken the position in Court that marriages of foreign nationals performed in Canada are invalid within Canada if they are not recognized in the country of residence of those foreign nationals. Also, apparently, Mr Harper's government also refuses to recognize foreign, marriage-equivalent partnerships, such as the British civil unions, making long-term, legally partnered couples legal strangers once they arrive within our borders as residents, students or tourists.

These attacks on LGBTQ rights must be seen for what they are, and countered by the strongest, clearest messages by those legislators who, as you do, believe in equality. Whether or not Mr Harper and his caucus acknowledge a concerted effort on the part of their government to disenfranchise queer voters, the facts of their actions are what must be countered. The Conservatives have indicated that they may take steps to clarify existing laws in order to prevent ambiguities in the future. As my voice in Parliament, I ask that you speak in favour of the most inclusive resolutions possible. Queers all around the world, including in the United States, live under regimes that, like Canada before 2005, deny their citizens marriage equality. It is not acceptable to me as a Canadian voter that the bigotry of legislators in Florida, Uganda, or elsewhere effects the ability of Canadians to treat people equally within our own borders.

Please write to me at your earliest convenience to let me know how you will be addressing this issue in Parliament.

Thank you for your work.

Sincerely,

Andrew