[email protected]

Here's one for you folks to think about.

I have friends who've adopted children of different races, or from different
countries. One of the things that they are very conscious of throughout their
children's lives is adopting their children's culture of origin into their
families as well.

Similarly, I've tried to provide a taste of our own heritage for my son.
We've talked about his grandparents coming from Portugal, and we even had the
opportunity to spend some time there.

But it occurred to me that Julian is growing up in another culture. He, at
13, is probably straight (at least that's what he thinks so far, he says) and
has lesbian parents. He is part of another, non-mainstream, culture, and
regardless of his own orientation, will always carry that with him. It will likely
make a difference in his relationships and the choices he makes. Hell, already
having two moms makes a huge difference in his male awareness of how to be
loving toward women!

So, I've been wondering, and actually talking to Julian, about this stuff. I
asked him if he'd be interested in reading a book or seeing some documentaries
about the history of gay civil rights (Yes!), or learning more about culture
(sure, why not!. It didn't work out because of timing to go to Gay Pride this
year, and we haven't been in a few years, but he'd like to do it again.

What are your thoughts?

Kathryn


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/20/03 8:16:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

> What are your thoughts?
>
> Kathryn
>
>
>
I think it's important for you to share some very important miles stones in
our century. Go!


*~*Elissa Jill*~*
unschooling Momma to 3 beautiful brilliant people
Loving partner for life to Joey
terrible guitarist, fair singer and happy woman.






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

Shouldn't we all be looking for opportunities to share history of different
cultures and lifestyles with our kids even if we're not gay or Portuguese or
Asian or Maori?

(I think yes. Many who are homeschooling in large part to shield their
children from "cultural diversity" say NO.)

Sandra

Andrea

At 12:37 PM 6/20/03 -0400, Sandra wrote:
>Shouldn't we all be looking for opportunities to share history of different
>cultures and lifestyles with our kids even if we're not gay or Portuguese or
>Asian or Maori?

That's why we are going to the Multicultural Festival this weekend.
Dancing, music, displays, and lots of food!
http://www.multifest.ca/2003/performer.htm

I like my kids to be exposed to families with different backgrounds and
situations than ours. What I have found is that they're not bothered by any
differences - they acknowledge and accept.

Kathryn, have you heard that the Canadian government plans to endorse
same-sex marriages?

Donna Andrea - Andrea is a Lebanese surname, not Lesbian (the two words
have sometimes been confused :-)

Nichole Fausey-Khosraviani

----- Original Message -----
From: KathrynJB@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 4:17 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Sharing Culture


In a message dated 6/20/2003 4:18:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

> Shouldn't we all be looking for opportunities to share history of different
>
> cultures and lifestyles with our kids even if we're not gay or Portuguese or
>
> Asian or Maori?
>



My husband is Persian, but grew up and was educated in India. We take every opportunity to learn about India. We also love television about different cultures. Prejudice is something learned, so if we don't model it, our children will be accepting and interested in and kind to all cultures and races. At the same time, I don't think it is terrible when a child marvels over a physical or cultural difference as being different, strange or unique. We live around Hutterites who dress and speak differently and whose culture is totally foreign to our own. We walk up to them when Margaux has a question and introduce ourselves and ask if it is okay to ask them some questions. Usually, they are very friendly and want to answer. One time there was an African decent cashier at Wal Mart when Margaux was younger. Margaux called him Jean Paul Jean Paul, from seeing an episode of Seinfeld dedicated to a runner from Trinidad & Tobago who was dark brown. Was this prejudice? No way! I just told her that he was not Jean Paul. She said, "he has skin like Jean Paul." I said, "Yeah, he does have lovely brown skin, just like Jean Paul." That was it, it was over. Where am I going with this? Ummmm..... I don't know. I think I need a nap.

Cultural diversity. Well, WalMart isn't exactly .... well, yeah, it kind of is. I mean, people from all walks go to Wal Mart.

Okay, I'm going to bed.
bye bye

Nichole


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/20/03 4:27:23 PM, KathrynJB@... writes:

<< The US has policies which automatically approve marriages that have taken
place in other nations, as do most other countries. There's already a
movement to
change that here. Sucks big time. >>

What about multiple marriages, though? Some Moslems and various African
tribes have more than one wife. I think you kinda have to pick one to be your
recognized-in-America wife, and the others can't have legal status. (I've read
and heard that.)

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/20/03 4:34:39 PM, ms_fausey@... writes:

<< Cultural diversity. Well, WalMart isn't exactly .... well, yeah, it kind
of is. I mean, people from all walks go to Wal Mart.
>>

We were in line with a couple speaking French at Smith's (a grocery store)
last month. And FOREIGN French, not north-American French, it seemed. And
were they buying gross food? YES THEY WERE!

On trains in and around London was where I saw the greatest number of
assorted culture/language/costume in one place at one time.

Sandra

kayb85

Did you ever wonder why we even care if the government approves or
recognizes our marriages or not? Dh and I have talked about this and
agreed that if we had to do it over, we would have been married in
the eyes of God and each other, but not inform the state. None of
their business!
Sheila

> In a message dated 6/20/03 4:27:23 PM, KathrynJB@a... writes:
>
> << The US has policies which automatically approve marriages that
have taken
> place in other nations, as do most other countries. There's already
a
> movement to
> change that here. Sucks big time. >>
>
> What about multiple marriages, though? Some Moslems and various
African
> tribes have more than one wife. I think you kinda have to pick one
to be your
> recognized-in-America wife, and the others can't have legal
status. (I've read
> and heard that.)
>
> Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/20/03 5:00:52 PM, sheran@... writes:

<< Did you ever wonder why we even care if the government approves or

recognizes our marriages or not? >>

Social security benefits.
Inheritance.
Financial and physical responsibility for children born within a marriage.

Without a marriage there are no widows and widowers, and long LONG before our
government ever existed the concept of widows' benefits existed in many other
cultures.

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/20/03 3:27:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
KathrynJB@... writes:

> Oh...a plug: if there are any gay, lesbian, bi, transexual, transgender
> homeschoolers here, or if you have or suspect you have a gay child you are
> homeschooling, or you are just interested: Think about joining my list
> Gayhomeschoolers. It's a yahoogroup. We've got over 60 members, and there's
> not tons of
> traffic, but it's cool. We just had a neat woman join because her 12 year
> old
> daughter came out and they decided school was a bad place for her, so
> they're
> homeschooling. (Not unschooling, though)
>
> Kathryn
>

That is an awesome thing to do. Although I haven't joined, if I can ever get
thru all the posts I currently have, I would love to do so. While I am not
lesbian, gay, bi, transgendered or transsexual nor have my children exhibited any
of these, I have very close friends and relatives who are. So I guess you'd
call me interested.

Last year our dear friend J, a transsexual islander, came to Kass and Krees
birthday party. His family had lived next door to my best friend, whom we lived
with for 6 months while waiting for our home to be finished being built. The
first time we met was when he got out of his parents van in a surong (sp?) and
slide pumps. He gave me a smile and now admits that he automatically assumed
I would either turn away or look disgusted or some such action he obviously
receives regularly. I smiled back and said "Hello". He looked suprised and said,
"Heeeeeyyyy". As I began to pull groceries out of the car, I turned to him
and said, "Where'd you get those shoes? They are just too cute." He said,
"Fredricks of Hollywood, honey and I got 'em on sale too girl!!!" My hubby came out
to help unload and J looked like he expected disdain from Phil. Again to his
surprise, my hubby said,"Hey! How are you?" When he noticed J's shoes he said,
"Nice shoes, my wife would like those. Hey Rhonda did you see those shoes?"
Jay is about 6' 2, 250 lbs of solid Somoain. He put his hand on his hip and
said, "Why are you being nice?" Phil and I looked at each other and back at J and
in unison said, "Why wouldn't we?"

That was it, the bond had begun. So when I invited him to the girls party
along with his 3 younger siblings, I never gave it a second thought. I have quite
an array of friends, right winged, left winged, Christians, Pagans, and a
slew of political affiliations, homeschoolers, unschoolers, go to schoolers.
All shapes and sizes. When J walked into my house it got incredibly quiet.
Double takes and dropped jaws. Kass and Kree ran in from the pool screaming "J's
here!!!!" With his ever so popular hand on hip and better makeup than I have
ever applied in this lifetime, he squilled, "It's time to get this party
started!!!" Even the most uncomfortable guests had to laugh. He took over in the
kitchen (he can cook his a$$ off) and started talking to everyone in ear
shot...."Hi I'm J, who are you?" Hi I'm J, who are you?" Hi I'm J, who are you?"

The party was a great success and everyone was polite and kind reagrdless of
their understanding of "what" J was. Only one person questioned why I allowed
such a person to know my children and be so close with our family. I was at a
loss for words. "Huh?" was all that came out of my mouth. Finally after
gaining my composure back I said, "For the same reasons you are my friend. He's
kind, he's funny, he's caring, he's smart, he loves us." I wasn't angry at having
to explain it, I was just caught off guard. Perhaps I shouldn't have been. I'm
not sure. The explaination I got was something about hate the sin, love the
sinner....OK whatever, NOT how we see it, but if that makes them feel better, I
guess it's better than cruelty.

Anyway I'm babbling again, but I it made me think about how little this
culture has changed when it comes to orientations. My kids know we aren't gonna
care one hoot, who they love as long as they give love and receive love. We had a
discussion the other day that it's too bad that families still disintegrate
over these issues. My girls watched an HBO movie with me not long ago called
"Normal". It's about a transgendered man, married for 25 years who finally comes
out to his family. It was a beautiful movie and we all watched it as a
family. We all cried at the parts where he was taunted, we all cried when he told
his children, we all cried when he got beat up for being who he was. It lead to
a wonderful family dialogue on tolerance. I have to say, I loved that my
children didn't understand why there is even a need for such a discussion. Sadly
they know now. When their schooled friends come over and call names such as
gaylord, lezzy, or faggot, my kids are quick to repremand them.They ask if the
kids know what they just said? They ask how many such persons the taunting kids
know who fit that discription? They ask what will those kids do if their
brothers or sisters end up being one of the desciptions? They always end with, "What
would you do if your child was?" And they wait for a real answer.

Hopefully your list will grow and people can learn more about whatever it is
they fear.
Thanx for creating it.

Rhonda


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

coyote's corner

Kathryn,
I would like to put a link on my links page. Perhaps one under Diversity and one under HS/US ?
Janis
Culture


In a message dated 6/20/03 3:27:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
KathrynJB@... writes:

> Oh...a plug: if there are any gay, lesbian, bi, transexual, transgender
> homeschoolers here, or if you have or suspect you have a gay child you are
> homeschooling, or you are just interested: Think about joining my list
> Gayhomeschoolers. It's a yahoogroup. We've got over 60 members, and there's
> not tons of
> traffic, but it's cool. We just had a neat woman join because her 12 year
> old
> daughter came out and they decided school was a bad place for her, so
> they're
> homeschooling. (Not unschooling, though)
>
> Kathryn
>


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

sheran@... writes:
<< Did you ever wonder why we even care if the government approves or
recognizes our marriages or not? Dh and I have talked about this and
agreed that if we had to do it over, we would have been married in
the eyes of God and each other, but not inform the state. None of
their business!
Sheila >>

There are legal rights you only receive when married. Um, taxes, insurance,
the ability to visit your loved one in the hospital, inheritance rights and
taxes are affected, I think there may be more.

My hunny and I got married after 10 years together, for the most romantic
reasons...Taxes and insurance. lol

Just because we happen to be hetero, we had that right, went out, paid $10
for the license and did the deed. And we get the benefits. I almost feel
guilty, it's not fair that others that want the benefits, don't have those same
rights.

~Aimee

Kelly Lenhart

>Just because we happen to be hetero, we had that right, went out, paid $10
>for the license and did the deed. And we get the benefits. I almost feel
>guilty, it's not fair that others that want the benefits, don't have those
same
>rights.


I remember being ANGRY that it was so easy for hubby and me and that friends
I had COULDN'T pay the 35 bucks we just had and do it.

And we live in PA which has a Quaker license. You need you, partner and two
witnesses. No JP or minister or anyone. So that old "religion" arguement
goes right out the window.

Wait, I'm STILL pissed.

Kelly
(married 7 years)

Kelly Lenhart

>The "reality" show "Married by America" where strangers were going to get
>married, got to me. These people could go into a town hall and get a
license and
>marry legally, but my partner of 13 years and I cannot.

And why, when folks get all bent out of shape about opening marriage to gays
don't they seem to get bent out of shape about this kind of crap???? I
don't get it. I actually didn't speak to a friend for over a year because
of a huge arguement where she kept saying that somehow allowing gays to get
married would change what her marriage meant. Now, I know she's sensible
enough that the above example would annoy her, too, but she wouldn't make
the leap in the same way we do.

>Julian, at 13, is starting to really get what it means that Beth and I
can't
>be legally married. Really pisses him off too.

Bet it makes him much more careful about getting married. The whole issue
just astounds me. Much like a conversation I had with other friends about
how my opinion of schools shouldn't upset them or be interpreted as an
indictment of their choice to use them, I wonder why a gay couple's choice
to "use" marriage matters to a straight. I mean, you can tell me the
reasons, but I just won't get it on a gut level. It doesn't make sense.

And I'm fine with that, frankly. -evil grin-

Kelly

Mary

From: "Kelly Lenhart" <mina@...>

<<I wonder why a gay couple's choice to "use" marriage matters to a
straight. I mean, you can tell me the
reasons, but I just won't get it on a gut level. It doesn't make sense.>>


I can't say that anyone I've heard talk about not liking gay marriages and
how it shouldn't be allowed have used the argument that it negates theirs.
They just seem to think it's wrong. People fear what they don't know and a
lot of people don't want to learn what they don't know. It's different and
not the "normal" of what they know and live and well then it can't possibly
be right. It can't possibly be normal and good. In my experience with such
narrow minded people, they lump gays in with people of color and people that
come here now from other countries and people of other faiths or none at
all. It's sad and pathetic really because I have spoken with these people
trying so hard to understand what the "real" reason is for their prejudice.
The honest truth is there isn't any real reason. It's just a because. I find
people like that very annoying and not at all worth any time I can afford
them.


Mary B

liza sabater

On Friday, June 20, 2003, at 08:13 AM, KathrynJB@... wrote:
> So, I've been wondering, and actually talking to Julian, about this
> stuff. I
> asked him if he'd be interested in reading a book or seeing some
> documentaries
> about the history of gay civil rights (Yes!), or learning more about
> culture
> (sure, why not!. It didn't work out because of timing to go to Gay
> Pride this
> year, and we haven't been in a few years, but he'd like to do it again.
>
> What are your thoughts?

ABSOLUTELY! And don't just stop there --take it all the way back to all
of History. There are so many ways that you can tackle that subject
--literature, art, philosophy, anthropology, primatology, even
economics. It will give his such a broader perspective on ''mainstream"
culture.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Deborah Lewis

***These people could go into a town hall and get a license and
marry legally, but my partner of 13 years and I cannot. ***

It will have to change Kathryn. Banning same sex marriages violates the
laws against sexual discrimination.
Not only that but the reasons they are using to keep same sex marriages
illegal have religious foundations and that seems to violate separation
of church and state.

I'm sorry our government openly discriminates against you and Beth. It's
not right and it shouldn't be tolerated by anyone who believes in our
constitution.

Deb L

Tia Leschke

> I can't say that anyone I've heard talk about not liking gay marriages and
> how it shouldn't be allowed have used the argument that it negates theirs.

That's the argument we've been hearing in Canada, that it somehow makes
marriage mean less if it isn't limited to a heterosexual union. And then
they go on to say that marriage is for the purpose of producing children, so
it has to stay heterosexual . . . as if all hetero marriages produced
children. Jeeze!
Tia

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin
leschke@...

Kelly Lenhart

>And then
>they go on to say that marriage is for the purpose of producing children,
so
>it has to stay heterosexual . . . as if all hetero marriages produced
>children. Jeeze!
>Tia


And in fact I think this was the arguement that LOST the battle in Canada.
THe judges decided it was a false arguement. That marriage was about
companionship, commitement and (most importantly) a legal bond and not
children or a religious union. If you look at it that way there is no legal
basis for restricting it to hetero unions.

I'm watching eagerly for how this shakes out in Canada. It will have a huge
impact here in the US.

Kelly

Kelly Lenhart

>I can't say that anyone I've heard talk about not liking gay marriages and
>how it shouldn't be allowed have used the argument that it negates theirs.

I think when people have such a clearly cultural definition of what marriage
is ("Marriage is when a boy and a girl fall in love and get married and have
children") then even when they know intellectually that all marriages aren't
like that, they have trouble seperating that image from their own life.

My friend is a very smart woman, who I don't tend to think of as homophobic.
I just don't think she makes the connections between what her life is like
and what some other people's lives are like. We got past the point of
polite before we could talk about "civil unions" much. OR maybe I've just
forgotten that part.

I would like to see there being "civil unions" for everyone. Gay, straight,
poly, whatever. And those legal contracts have certain assumptions, much as
"marriage" does now. And then if you want to get "married" you can go to
your priest, priestess, swami, whatever. Those contracts would have
certain assumptions within your religious community. The state has a say in
one and not in the other. As it is, the state is really supporting one over
the other.

I mean, getting married means that I have access to hubby's past financial
records, can speak for him in the hospital, can sign for him in certain
circumstances, etc. And if he croaks, the assumption is that I get his
money. (Not that the poor dear has any!) Why should his gender make any
difference in those areas?

Like I said, I don't get it.

Kelly

Vicki A. Dennis

Whether he croaks or not you have access to social security retirement benefits as his spouse..........even if you get divorced after 10 years and he remarries before death.

Whether he has money while alive or not, if he has been paying into Social Security, your children will get survivor benefits and you will also get benefits as the guardian of the children when he croaks.

If his employer offers family group health care coverage, you and your children may purchase health insurance at a small fraction of the cost that non-recognized family members would have to pay.

Few easily married persons ever realize just how many goodies they receive based on the governments approval of their union.

vicki
----- Original Message -----
From: Kelly Lenhart
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2003 5:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: Re: Sharing Culture


And if he croaks, the assumption is that I get his
money. (Not that the poor dear has any!)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tia Leschke

>
> I'm watching eagerly for how this shakes out in Canada. It will have a
huge
> impact here in the US.
>
Ontario is already giving out licenses. Alberta has vowed they won't. I'm
not sure about everywhere else. But then we get chided for anything we do
that your government doesn't like. Probably will on this one as well.
Tia

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin
leschke@...

Mary

From: "Tia Leschke" <leschke@...>

<<That's the argument we've been hearing in Canada, that it somehow makes
marriage mean less if it isn't limited to a heterosexual union. And then
they go on to say that marriage is for the purpose of producing children, so
it has to stay heterosexual . . . as if all hetero marriages produced
children. Jeeze!>>


That makes no sense to me. I just can't see how someone can reason out that
same sex marriages make hetero marriages less. So maybe people who get
married and divorce and marry and keep on going a few times makes mine less
meaningful too??? It even sounds silly.

And as far as procreation goes, what do we do with all the couples who just
don't want kids??? Make them divorce? Yeah, that's what we should do. Sorry,
I hate discrimination.

Mary B

Kelly Lenhart

>Few easily married persons ever realize just how many goodies they receive
based on the governments >approval of their union.
>vicki

Exactly. And we don't have to live together, or even like each other, to do
so. We just have to sign a piece of paper in front of witnesses.

I need to stop talking about this, it makes me angry. -sigh-

Kelly

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/21/03 9:46:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time, AimeeL73@...
writes:

> There are legal rights you only receive when married. Um, taxes,
> insurance,
> the ability to visit your loved one in the hospital, inheritance rights and
> taxes are affected, I think there may be more.
>

I think the saddest one of all is when the decision to take a partner off of
life support is twarted by legal mumbo-jumbo. It's the worst decision to have
to make when your committment is recognized, I can't imagine not being
"allowed" to do what your partner would want. It's offensive to my soul.

Rhonda - who had a friend whose partner was left on support for over a year
because his parents refused to recognize what their son wished, in every aspect
of his life.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/22/03 1:17:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time, mina@...
writes:

> I wonder why a gay couple's choice
> to "use" marriage matters to a straight. I mean, you can tell me the
> reasons, but I just won't get it on a gut level. It doesn't make sense.
>
>

I too have had this debate with straight friends who disagree that our gay
friends should be allowed to be married. I really and truly do not understand.
If it doesn't effect your life, why does it matter? And why is it so
unacceptable? I ask because I want to see the reasons. It usually ends up being
religious rhetoric. I have heard the arguments, but the hypocracy confuses me. Why
does it matter who we love instead of whether we are able to give and receive
love?

Rhonda - happy to know how to love


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

<< I'm sorry our government openly discriminates against you and Beth. It's

not right and it shouldn't be tolerated by anyone who believes in our

constitution. >>

Deb L


I agree with Deb. I don't think it is fair that you and Beth are treated this
way.

Kim

Fetteroll

In a message dated 6/22/03 1:17:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time, mina@...
writes:

> I wonder why a gay couple's choice
> to "use" marriage matters to a straight. I mean, you can tell me the
> reasons, but I just won't get it on a gut level. It doesn't make sense.

The argument I've heard that's maybe unconsciously at the root of other
objections is the fear that the only thing that keeps many people from same
sex relations is social (and religious) restrictions. If we make it legal,
if we remove the social stigma, then what's to prevent our kids and anyone
we can't control from thinking same sex sexual relations is normal and
playing around with it or ::: gasp ::: thinking it's better.

And as evidence to support that, people will point to the decreased social
stigma on premarital sex and drugs and dress compared to 50 years ago and
all the problems it has "caused" in our current society. Not to mention the
vaguely remembered impression that wrapped up in the downfall of Rome were
orgies where no one cared who (or what) they had sex with. It all just seems
to reinforce the idea that the only reason we're "good" and that
civilization is stable is because of external pressure and threat of
punishment not to be "bad".

Joyce

Kelly Lenhart

>The argument I've heard that's maybe unconsciously at the root of other
>objections is the fear that the only thing that keeps many people from same
>sex relations is social (and religious) restrictions. If we make it legal,
>if we remove the social stigma, then what's to prevent our kids and anyone
>we can't control from thinking same sex sexual relations is normal and
>playing around with it or ::: gasp ::: thinking it's better.

Yes, I've heard this. My friend, in fact. And then you get the comparisons
of "If we allow this, then what is the arguement against polyamory (none in
my mind, but) and beastiality (non consent and YUCK) and pedophilia (um, see
beastiality!)"

She just didn't see where comparing a long standing, mutually supportive,
loving relationship between two adults to beastiality would offend
e. -sigh-

>It all just seems
>to reinforce the idea that the only reason we're "good" and that
>civilization is stable is because of external pressure and threat of
>punishment not to be "bad".

I do think you've nailed it, BUT I still don't get it. Because, of course,
I don't have those fears. I don't have that concept that if we don't have
LAWS we won't be good little boys and girls.

Kelly

Andrea

At 02:56 PM 6/22/03 -0700, Tia wrote:
>That's the argument we've been hearing in Canada, that it somehow makes
>marriage mean less if it isn't limited to a heterosexual union.

There was a national phone-in on CBC last night in which the question was
"What's your reaction to Ottawa's decision to recognize same-sex marriage?"

Two of the callers gave the above argument but did not support it with any
facts. I didn't hear the whole show but most callers I heard were
supportive of same-sex marriage.

I would like to hear or read an honest argument for why it dimiishes
heterosexual marriage. Personally, I think the more people we have in
loving unions and declaring that love before society, the better our
society will be for everyone.

It is important to remember that freedom of religion is protected under the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, so religious groups have the
freedom to practice according to their doctrine. No religion can be forced
to marry anyone except whom they determine is marriageable. Catholic
priests, for example, will not be required to marry a gay couple, just as
they never have been and never will be required to marry a formerly
divorced couple.

You can hear and read more about the phone-in at
http://www.cbc.ca/checkup/archive/2003/archives03.html

Donna Andrea in Nova Scotia