FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITARIANS PRAISE THE COURT

Canadian Unitarians applauded the June 10, 2003 Ontario Court of Appeal decision. The Court upheld the previous court ruling that the common law and case law preventing same-sex couples from marrying is contrary to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"Unitarians in Canada have been officiating at same-sex commitment ceremonies since the mid-1970s," said Canadian Unitarian Council past president the Reverend Dr Mark Morrison-Reed.

"It is my belief that same-sex unions are to be valued no less than those of heterosexual couples."

As an organization, the CUC has repeatedly advocated for gay and lesbian rights. On February 26, 2003,

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."

Provincial courts in BC, Québec and Ontario have now ruled in favour of equal marriage for same-sex couples. A report is due soon from the Commons Justice Committee which has been holding hearings on same-sex marriage across Canada. The CUC calls on the federal government not to appeal or put a stay on the Ontario Court's new wording that marriage involves

"two persons". As well, the CUC renews its call for Canada to change the federal law to acknowledge the new wording.

Unitarians believe that marriage is the legal and sacramental recognition of the love between two

individuals and their commitment to care for and support one another in good times and bad.

"Same-sex marriage is about giving individuals a choice to celebrate their love and commitment, not just between one another and with their friends, but with the full sanction of society," said Rev. Morrison-Reed. 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

CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCIL www.cuc.ca info@cuc.ca

1-888-568-5723