Marriage: Canada vs. California

What a bitter day for Californians.

If you are queer and you have access to various media outlets, I'm sure you've heard the devastating news that the California Supreme Court voted to uphold Proposition 8.

The events of this morning have set me on another reflective tangent comparing the current situation in California and the relative normality of same-sex marriage here in Canada.

Overall, Canadians tend to be a self-deprecating lot -- we operate with this mentality that nothing we create is worthy until it's recognized outside of our borders. We tend to stand in the shadows of our neighbours to the South, desiring the glamourous pageantry of American identity and their self-assured, brash way of kicking down the barriers blocking their American Dream.

But with same-sex marriage -- Canada is light years ahead and it's hard to believe at times. 

I mean, historically-speaking, Canada's known for its traditional, conservative politics. I mean, hi -- we didn't develop our own Constitution until 1982. The Queen and her Governor General are still prominent figureheads in our Parliament. Heck, if you go even FURTHER back, we took in all the British Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, why?..... Because we were a whole NATION of British Loyalists. Well, minus the French and Native populations.... but you get the jist of the idea.

And yet, here we are -- same-sex marriage has been legalized across our nation since July 20th, 2005. In fact, same-sex marriages were legal in eight out of ten provinces and one territory as early as 2003. Granted, we've had our near setbacks, too -- when the Conservative Party won a minority government in 2006, our douche of a Prime Minister *Cough*StephenHarper*Cough* tried to appease Alberta and put same-sex marriage out to a national referendum -- it was shot down by Parliament. 

Bill C-38: I remember the newscasts and the protests and the court cases that finally protected same-sex marriage under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

I turned 19 in a world where I could meet a woman, fall in love, and marry her without consequence.

Prop. 8 is a shock to the senses. I've seen the attack ads launched in California by right-wing, conservative, religious groups and I cannot believe that blatant hate speech can be created for public consumption. It's mind-boggling. I forget sometimes how much more liberal Canada tends to be now. Even while we look to the States for that brassy, glitzy swagger they've got, it seems like it's all a show. The real revolution is right in our own backyards.

If I could pass any advice on to Californians, I would suggest taking this day to mourn and taking tomorrow to start fresh. Wake up with a new resolve to get out there and fight back even harder than before. That determination, that focus, that unwavering hope -- it's all part and parcel of that American spirit I've heard so much about from here. 

That, or you can always feel free to join myself and the other lovely ladies of Canada for a beer and an elopement. Either way, I can assure you the outcome will be brilliant.