|
|
|
#1
07-13-2006, 11:30 PM
|
|||
|
|||
Wedding Bells Ringing
Friends,
The date is set. Me and my fiance of 25 years are going to be married in the wedding chambers of the City Hall in Toronto on September 1st at 2:00. Two our our friends, whom we helped to migrate to Canada a year or so ago will stand up as our witnesses. (They migrated to Canada rather than let the U.S. Gov't split them up because one was here on an expiring student visa from North Africa.) But before that we'll be taking the next ten days vacation to travel out to Colorado for the Soulforce walk from Denver to Colorado Springs. Our leg of the walk is Wednesday. Hope to see alot of you folks there! Steven Webster 
|
|
#2
07-14-2006, 03:23 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Congratulations/felicitations
My spouse and I of nearly 31 years and 3 years of legal marriage congratulate you on your upcoming marriage at the Toronto City Centre Chapel on September 1, 2006. Thank you also for two new permanent residents and future citizens of our nation whom you helped immigrate rather than have US CIS send one back to Islamic North Africa.
Years ago, as a young adult, we had neighbours who were Vietnam veterans who AWOL'ed forever, and never chose to return when Ford allowed them to surrender and return to face criminal charges and then amnesty. Over the decades, they have married Canadian women, and have become Canadian citizens and have raised children and now are grandparents here. The beauty of our nation is that your same-sex couple friends can also look forward to that very outcome in their lives. We have a home in Cabbagetown district of Toronto, near the City Centre, and dependent upon Crozier's health, we would love to attend. Regardless of being unable to determine health issues where he is concerned, and the reality of being bi-locational for a brief period based on my professional responsibilities working for a bi-national company, we add our voices to your decision to obtain a legal marriage irrespective of your nation's recognition issues. In 2003, we had the hope that especially border-state long-standing monogamous couples would join Americans with disposable travel incomes from all over the US, (and this was a theocon fear in spades !!!!), would come to Canada in droves to marry. So, in reply, former GOP MA governor Paul Celluci, Bush's ambassador to Canada, made loud noises about the one year residency requirement for divorces. As if American couples married for decades might want to do this. Moreover, if the marriages were not recognised in the USA, how many would feel the need to return to Canada for a divorce? But, of course, it worked. The number of US couples married in Canada is still far lower than the statistical average the Royal Commission expected it to be. It pleases the Theocons who asked the Liberal government to deny marriage licences to US citizens.....refused. The then prime minister told Bush that there is no difference between opposite and same sex marriage licences, and that denial would have to be unilateral. How is that for equality and justice? Ironically, Canadian marriage licences have been used in Europe and Asia to seek and receive recognition of marriages in their nations. Some cases are still pending, but these nations often recognise the arguement that it is difficult to require a government to discern between two groups receiving an identical legal document, while denying its legitimacy only to one group based on their subjective legislation. Canadian organisations were truly mobilised nationwide to help American brothers and sisters marry in our nation in droves. And yet, during that year, countless American couples still jumped the broom in extralegal commitment ceremonies. Gays and lesbians usually have more disposable income to travel, especially given low fares or even car or bus fare to Canada.There were even bus tours organised to bring Americans to Canada. Moreover, there are Immigration attorneys and Safe House groups throughout Canada, some now dissolved, due to lack of interest. Sad indeed!! My loonie, Spouse
|
|
#3
07-14-2006, 05:45 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Steven
Congratulations! and I just looked at my calendar to see if I could hop in my car and make the trip to Toronto. Alas, that is the first week of school and your wedding is on a school day for me. I will have to send my wishes through silent prayers at school that day.
|
|
#4
07-14-2006, 08:48 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The best to you and your soon-to-be spouse!!!!!
I am excited and joyful at your upcoming ceremony, and in the amazing city of Toronto, adds to the excitement!!! I wish you all of the best wishes and love that your hearts can hold. I shall also be thinking of you/praying for you on that wonderful day. Peace and love to you both,
 
__________________
[B]THE TRUTH IS ALL THERE IS.[/B
|
|
#5
07-14-2006, 10:27 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Much Joy to you both!!!!!
Congrats Steven and Spouse to be!
My spouse and I were married at that very same chapel and everyone there could not have been nicer. A friend of ours who works at City Hall advised us to get the 'paperwork' done ahead of time- which we did the day before on the first floor. The gentlemen officiating (see pic) was wonderful- very warm and welcoming- and the ceremony itself was moving. (They have a CD player if you want to bring your own music btw) It was a life-changing experience. We went to the CN tower afterwards and had a very good lunch with- of course- an incredible view. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!
__________________
Be the love you seek. Last edited by Daniel; 07-14-2006 at 10:49 AM.
|
|
#8
07-15-2006, 03:46 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Congradulations!!!! Wish I could be at the wedding... but I'll see you the 21st or 22nd in Colorado!
I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!
__________________
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?"
|
|
#9
07-15-2006, 07:29 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Thanks for the Congrats
Friends,
Just a comment on the issue of Canadian disappointment that more U.S.ers haven't gone North to tie the knot. I think what influenced us the most is knowing two other couples who preceded us, and actually one couple in particular. I think it may need to be a "word of mouth" kind of thing. So maybe the numbers will grow slowly. I proposed to Jim on New Year's Eve and I know one of the things on my mind was news about neocon strength in recent Canadian elections, and I felt like we better not delay. We talked to a local Catholic couple (who'll also be marching in Colorado). This couple was "married" (not legally) in a United Church of Christ ceremony. They seemed to feel that a "church wedding," even non-legal (and Protestant) was better than a Canadian civil ceremony. I think this may be a common idea--the U.S. is so religious and marriage is thought of as a church/religious function. Our Canadian-married friends testify to the deep significance of the experience, as have folks here in this discussion. I think these testimonies will have a growing effect. Steven Webster
|
|
#10
07-15-2006, 07:52 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Question?
In Canada, do you not have the ability to have a religious ceremony in a gay-affirming house of worship with a clergyperson officiating, and have a simultaneous civil legal marriage when the clergyperson signs the license and sends it for certification?
An FA I know got married in that Toronto City Centre Chapel and the person was a clergyperson from the United Church of Canada.
|
|
#11
07-16-2006, 06:42 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you. Blessings to the both of you.
__________________
Formerly known as the artist Sol Invictus "Blessed is he who knows himself and commands himself, for the world is his love, and happiness and peace walk with him wherever he goes" R.A. Heinlein.
|
|
#12
08-31-2006, 07:46 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
We're in Toronto, Wedding Tomorrow!
Friends,
Just a quick update. We arrived in Toronto last nite. See the city today. wedding tomorrow! Steven Webster & James Dietrich
|
|
#13
08-31-2006, 07:57 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Daniel and John
__________________
Be the love you seek.
|
|
#14
08-31-2006, 11:27 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
(ding ding ding)
I propose a toast to Steven Webster and Jim Dietrich -- two fabulous gay men whose love, care, and commitment to each other adds to that which is good and beautiful in this troubled world which we live. Knowing you both has enriched my life and I thank you. So here's to you Steven and Jim! If everyone would now raise your glass... Oh, and may God bless Canada!
|
|
#16
08-31-2006, 03:16 PM
|
||||
|
||||
        (Zerbie throws Confetti!!!! All best wishes on your WEDDING day!!!!!!!!!
__________________
*** Never linger too long with the ignorant, throw stones at their talk. Walk only with the lovers, the mirror of the soul gets rusty when dipped in muddy water. -Rumi
|
|
#18
08-31-2006, 07:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I'll drink to that! Here here!!
My heartfelt congratulations to you Steven & James! I wish you a lifetime of love and adventure, and many blessing from our Lord above. How wonderful for you! Please post some pics!?!  T
__________________
"Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation." Coretta Scott King
|
|
#19
08-31-2006, 08:23 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
:)
WOOHOO!!!
CONGRATS!!! I'm so happy for you and this point in your relationship!! Wow, how wonderful?
__________________
No government has the right to tell its citizens when or whom to love. The only queer people are those who don't love anybody. - Rita Mae Brown
|
|
#20
08-31-2006, 09:07 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Steven and James: Blessings and congratulations to both of you! The longevity and commitment leaves me in awe, and hopeful for things to come for myself. Enjoy your ceremony tomorrow, and we will all be toasting you and thinking of you!!!!!! God's love abounds!!!!!!!!
__________________
[B]THE TRUTH IS ALL THERE IS.[/B
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|
Best Wishes
Linear Mode
