Marriage Redefined

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Canada and Spain Redefine Marriage

Special Report - June 30, 2005
Traditional marriage suffered two blows this week when Canada and Spain passed legislation lifting all restrictions on same-sex “marriage.” On June 28, the Canadian House of Commons narrowly approved a bill that legalizes same-sex nuptials across the country. The measure (Bill C-38), backed by Prime Minister Paul Martin, passed the House Tuesday night by a 158 to 133 margin, despite fierce opposition from Canadian religious leaders and pro-family organizations. Although seven of the nation’s twelve provinces already allow homosexuals to wed, the new law would mandate same-sex “marriage” rights on a national scale. The legislation is now headed for the Senate, where passage is expected.

Two days after the vote in the Canadian House of Commons, the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved a measure by a 187 to 147 margin that grants homosexuals the right to marry, adopt children, and inherit a partner’s property. Although the Senate rejected the bill last week, it is now considered law since the Congress of Deputies is vested with the power to make a final determination on all legislation. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero strongly backed the measure as part of his liberal social reform agenda for the country. In addition to authorizing homosexual “marriage,” Prime Minister Zapatero has managed to push legislation through Parliament legalizing embryonic stem-cell research and relaxing the country’s divorce laws. Prior to this week, only two other nations, Belgium and the Netherlands, recognized same-sex “marriages” as legally binding.

Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council, expressed disappointment over the votes in Canada and Spain. “In every civilization throughout history, marriage has been understood as the union of one man and one woman,” Brooks said. “Now, Canada and Spain are defying almost 6,000 years of recorded human history.” Brooks also emphasized the need for citizen involvement here in the United States and locally in North Carolina, stating, “The news from Canada and Spain underscores the need for both federal and state marriage amendments. With activist judges and liberal politicians feverishly working to legalize homosexual unions, the responsibility to protect the sacred institution of marriage is our own.”