GOING TO THE CHAPEL: Unitarian Clergy in Ontario Booking Same-Sex Weddings – BC Clergy Ready to Book More

Canadian Unitarians applaud the July 8 BC Court of Appeal decision that recognizes equal marriage for same-sex partners in that province. Unitarians also hail the federal government’s decision to put relationship-recognition into law.

Unitarians in Canada have been officiating at same-sex commitment ceremonies since the mid-1970s. Every single practicing Unitarian minister in Canada endorsed the EGALE petition calling for recognition of same-sex marriages.

As an organization, the Canadian Unitarian Council has repeatedly advocated for gay and lesbian rights. On February 26, 2003, the CUC’s Executive Director Mary Bennett and Ottawa minister emeritus Reverend Fred Cappucino appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

"I am proud of the stance my religion has consistently taken on affirming rights of all peoples, regardless of gender identity and sexual preference," said Mary Bennett. "I am also proud that my country is opening up this dialogue."

"I will be very proud when Canada finally affirms marriage for same-sex couples. I expect that will happen, and the sooner it happens, the prouder I will be."

Unitarians marched in Pride Day parades across Canada this year, and will march again at similar events through the summer, celebrating the imminent reversal of the discriminatory ban that has barred gays and lesbians from affirming their relationships publicly.

"Approximately one hundred same-sex couples have booked weddings at Ontario Unitarian congregations," said CUC Executive Director Mary Bennett. "Lay Chaplains and Ministers at our  British Columbia congregations are standing by."

Unitarians believe that marriage is the legal and religious recognition of the love between two individuals and their commitment to care for and support one another in good times and bad.

For Unitarians, the choice is clear. "Justice requires this of us."

The Canadian Unitarian Council/Conseil unitarien du Canada (CUC), is an association of forty-four congregations located across Canada with 5,200 individual members. Arising out of the work of outspoken reformers and dissenters within the Christian tradition five centuries ago, the Unitarian movement today includes Universalists and flows in a broad religious stream augmented by Humanist, earth-centred, Buddhist and other progressive beliefs.

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Bowen, President 613-236-4504, elizabeth@cuc.ca 

Mary Bennett, Executive Director executivedirector@cuc.ca 

CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCIL www.cuc.ca/queer  1-888-568-5723