GC38 Same-Sex Marriage (2003)

WHEREAS The United Church of Canada states that "we are called to be the Church, to Celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil…"; and

WHEREAS Bill C-250 has passed first reading which will add sexual orientation to the list of grounds on which hate propaganda is prohibited; and

WHEREAS the Affirming Congregations Committee of Saskatchewan Conference participated in the Saskatchewan public hearings on April 3, 2003 to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights In Response to the Department of Justice Discussion Paper Marriage and Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Unions and heard a variety of opinions and points of view from other denominations that were critical of this justice seeking work, and

WHEREAS there is a need to change the marriage laws to reflect the movement that Bill C-250 will grant, which is to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal; and

WHEREAS the 37th General Council affirmed lesbian & gay partnerships and resolved to actually work for their civil recognition and recognize them in church documentation and services at blessings; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Saskatchewan Conference petition the 38th General Council to call upon the Government of Canada to recognize same sex marriages in the marriage legislation.

GC38 2003 ROP, p. 340