preview

Same Sex Marriage In Canada Case Study

Decent Essays

On July 20th 2005, Canada became the fourth country to legalize the marriage of homosexuals. However this did not just happen overnight. Just 40 years ago, all homosexuals were subject to criminal charges and imprisonment. Brick by brick the homosexual community was granted more equality until marriage was proposed. The legalization of gay marriage in Canada was the culmination of more than 35 years of society and court rulings pushing the federal government to give homosexuals more equal rights.
Before 1969, all homosexuals in Canada were considered sex offenders under the Canadian criminal code and could be charged as such. Many gay men were sent to jail because of this law. One of these men was Everett Klippert. In 1965, while being interrogated …show more content…

The case was opened after lesbian couple M and H decided to end their 5 year relationship. During that span the two had shared ownership of an advertising company which was mostly run by H. After financial troubles befell them M and H's relationship fell apart. M sought spousal support from H but was unable to receive it because the definition of spouse in the Family Law Act did not include same-sex couples. This, M argued was a violation of her rights listed under section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Supreme Court acknowledged this said that the Family Law Act violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because " it violated Canada’s equivalent to the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution". 5 years later in 2004, the federal government declared that all same-sex couples are to be given the same rights that opposite sex couples are given. Had it not been for M who decided to pursue her right to spousal support the Supreme Court wouldn't determined that the Family Law Act's was in violation of the charter and homosexuals would not have the common law marriage

Get Access