Same-sex marriage celebrates 10 years

[Guest JamesWilson]

Same-sex marriage celebrates 10 years

Inside Toronto

Joanna Lavoie

Jan 21, 2011

First same-sex marriage ceremony a decade ago both dangerous and contentious

Same-sex marriage celebrates 10 years.

It's been 10 years since Riverdale residents Joe Varnell and Kevin Bourassa and Anne and Elaine Vautour of East York became the first two same-sex couples in the world to legally marry.

On Friday, Jan. 14, the two couples returned to Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto (MCCT) at 115 Simpson Ave. in Riverdale for a special service and reception in honour of the 10th anniversary of that historic day.

During the evening service, Varnell and Bourassa and the Vautours renewed their vows alongside about 40 other couples, including local MP Jack Layton and his wife Olivia Chow, member of parliament for Trinity-Spadina.

"It's wonderful to be back here to celebrate this time," Varnell said during a reception following the service.

"The last time we did this it was electric and wonderful but terrifying but now it's just lovely. Every couple here tonight is part of that story."

Elaine Vautour still can't believe 10 years have passed since she said "I do."

"It's almost surreal. Where did the time go?" she said, admitting at the time she didn't realize the scope of the changes that would come for same-sex couples around the globe who wanted to get married.

Rev. Brent Hawkes, who conducted the world's first legal same-sex marriages and still serves as MCCT's senior pastor, reminisced about that exciting and equally frightening day during the service, recalling how 10 years ago he called his sister Nancy to say goodbye, asking her to send his love to the family in case something unthinkable should happen to him.

Hawkes shared how on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2001, he donned a bullet-proof vest and had to be escorted from his home to MCCT by bodyguards. The threats against both Hawkes and MCCT were both serious and real. One individual did cause a scene and was ultimately found guilty of assault, after pushing Hawkes prior to the first same-sex wedding service that afternoon.

He also spoke of how the 1,000-plus people who came down to witness and share in the first same-sex marriages were all subject to a police search and how the following day he still couldn't leave his home for fear of being harmed.

"We made history," Hawkes said, pointing to a large piece of the infamous Berlin Wall perched on the church's altar.

"Walls can come down."

Despite the victories that have come for same-sex couples since that fateful day 10 years ago, Hawkes - who was named to the Order of Canada in 2008 - said much work remains to be done.

"We've come a long way. Let us not forget we have a long way to go," he said during the Jan. 14 service, which was webcasted around the globe.

"We are thankful for your courage in whatever country you're in. Keep up the fight and one day people won't have to fight to do what you've done. One day they'll just have to propose."

With a strong focus on fostering social justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people illustrated by the phrase "My House Shall Be A House of Prayer For All The People" inscribed on the woodworking of the church's altar, MCCT has been at the forefront of the fight for same-sex marriage rights in Canada and successfully won a precedent-setting court challenge thanks to the hard work of congregation member and award-winning lawyer Douglas Elliott.

"I'm so proud of what we've achieved and so proud to have worked with such wonderful couples and this church," Elliott said during the recent service, thanking the many people involved in making equal marriage possible including fellow lawyer Martha McCarthy.

Elliott, who read out several letters of support from lawyers, same-sex marriage advocates and politicians who couldn't attend the 10th anniversary service, especially thanked the two brave couples who made many sacrifices for the cause: Varnell and Bourassa and the Vautours.

"They literally put their lives on the line," he said, also thanking the many courageous politicians who stopped fighting against same-sex unions and started fighting for them.

Elliott also credited his former law partner Trent Morris for his support and took a moment to remember his late father and family members for their love and support throughout the many court battles that resulted in same-sex marriage being recognized as legal in Ontario and then across Canada in 2003.

Layton, who flew in from Ottawa to attend the service, said this was one event he didn't want to miss.

"I've followed the progress of this really important transformation and recognition of same-sex relationships. This was just going to be such a special evening and I didn't want to miss it," he said following the service.

"At our wedding, we had a gay friend read a statement regarding dreaming about the day when our many lesbian and gay friends would have the opportunity to celebrate like we were. I never thought I'd have the privilege of standing up in the House of Commons and voting for this."

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