Should gay marriages be legalized? Essay -- essays research papers fc

Should same sex marriages be legal?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Same-sex marriages have been very controversial since becoming an issue in Canada regarding the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Several people state that same-sex marriages should be legal, while others disagree, saying it should not be permitted. There have been many debates and inquiries about this issue for several years; the MP’s and Parliament will finally settle the problem within the next year or so. Many are in favour of legalizing same-sex marriages in all of Canada due to the violations and infringes upon the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Problems revolving around same-sex marriages have upset many religious groups. These groups believe that same-sex marriages should not be performed in a church – or at all. Although churches and other places of worship do not approve of same-sex marriages, legalizing same-sex marriages does not breach the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Same-sex marriages should be legalized everywhere in Canada because individuals should be able to express themselves freely without having to feel discriminated against, as stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Denying the fundamental liberties and other rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is unconstitutional and contravenes what the Charter is expected to maintain. The fundamental rights are what the Charter is based on – the freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication (Section 2b) will be infringed if same-sex marriages are disallowed. Addressing the issue of the fundamental freedoms on same-sex marriages, Prime Minister Paul Martin quoted: The Charter is a living document, the heartbeat of our constitution. It is also a proclamation. It declares that as Canadians, we live under a progressive and inclusive set of fundamental beliefs about the value of the individual. It declares that we all are lessened when any one of us is denied a fundamental right†¦If we do no step forward, then we step back. If we do not protect a right, then we deny it. Canada is governed based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Certain parties of the government believe that the government can not and should not pick and choose whose rights they will defend and whose right... ...of another, their right has also been infringed. Then again, religious morals are not valued as they ought to be in society as a whole, its customs, and its laws will change forever from this issue. Change is needed for Canada to adapt to the evolving world, adjusting to changes is beneficial. Legalizing same-sex marriages will lead Canada to being a stronger and a more liberated country. BIBLIOGRAPHY Sullivan, Andrew. Same-sex marriage, pro and con. A Reader. New York: Vintage Books, 2004 Catholic Group says Cardinal Wrong to say Charter of Rights shouldn’t apply to Gays and Lesbians [Online] Available: http://www.equal-marriage.ca/resource.php?id=142 (19 Jan. 2005) Civil Marriage Act [Online] Available: http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2005/doc_31376.html (1 Feb. 2005) Gay Marriages Timeline [Online] Available: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/print/CTVNews/110262810228_a8037308/?hub... GLBT and the equal marriage movement [Online] Available: http://www.psac.com/elections/ask_same_sex_marriage-e.htm Same-sex Marriages [Online] Available: http://www.canadawebpages.com/pc- editorial.asp?key=1415&editorPrimeKeyword=samesexmarriages...