FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITARIANS PRAISE THE COURT

Canadian Unitarians applauded the May 1 BC Court of Appeal decision that strikes down the provincial ban on same-sex marriages and called on the federal government to change the law.

"Unitarians in Canada have been officiating at same-sex commitment ceremonies since the mid-1970s." said Canadian Unitarian Council 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."

With three Courts of Appeal decisions striking down the ban on same-sex marriages, and the Standing Committee’s report imminent, CUC renews its call for Canada to change the federal law that restricts marriage to heterosexual couples.

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:

Rev. Dr. Steven Epperson, Unitarian Church of Vancouver 604-261-7206 epperson@look.ca 
or: Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed home: 416-656-8745 church: 416-924-9654

CANADIAN UNITARIAN COUNCIL www.cuc.ca info@cuc.ca 1-888-568-5723