Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero’s remarkable gay marriage speech
Vol. XIV, No. 8
Serving the GLBTQA Community of the Inland Northwest since 1992
August 2005
Dancing in the streets!
Translated by Rex Wockner When the Spanish parliament took its historic vote legalizing both gay marriage and adoption of children by gay couples [June 30], Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero – who put the full prestige of his office and party behind passage of the gay human rights legislation – made perhaps the most remarkable speech in favor of full equality for those with same-sex hearts ever delivered by a head of government anywhere. Here are excerpts from Zapatero’s speech: “We are not legislating, honorable members, for people far away and not known by us. We are enlarging the opportunity for happiness to our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends and our families. At the same time we are making a more decent society, because a decent society is one that does not humiliate its members. “In the poem ‘The Family,’ our [gay] poet Luis Cernuda was sorry because,
“Today the Spanish society grants them the respect they deserve, recognizes their rights, restores their dignity, affirms their identity and restores their liberty.” – Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero ‘How does man live in denial in vain / by giving rules that prohibit and condemn?’ Today the Spanish society answers to a group of people who, during many years, have been humiliated, whose rights have been ignored, whose dignity has been offended, their identity denied and their liberty oppressed. Today the Spanish society grants them the respect they deserve, recognizes their rights, restores their dignity, affirms their identity and restores their liberty. “It is true that they are only a minority, but their triumph is everyone’s triumph. It is also the triumph of those who oppose this law, even though they do not know this yet, because it is the triumph of liberty. Their victory makes all of us, even those who oppose the law, better people; it makes our sociContinued on page 8
photo by Pierre-Philippe Marcou
Up to two million Spaniards, according to organizers, joined in the Gay Pride parade last month in Madrid, this year celebrating the country’s new law allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.
Canada becomes fourth nation to OK gay marriage Canadians tired of debate
new positions to be taken. I think everyone in this chamber understands that we have, along with the Canadian people, come to our own conclusions.”
Poll shows most Canadians want new law to stand by Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg
The Canadian Senate gave final approval last month to a plan legalizing same-sex marriage in a historic 47-21 vote, making Canada the fourth nation in the world to extend marriage rights to gay couples. Canadian courts have ruled in favor of marriage rights for gays since 2003, legalizing the practice in most provinces. In June, Canada’s House of Commons voted to approve legislation allowing gay couples to marry. Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium are the only other countries to recognize gay marriage. In the United States, one state, Massachusetts, has legalized gay marriage. Many American gay couples have traveled to Canada to marry because it has no residency requirements for marriage. However, those unions are not recognized by the U.S. government. “This law is based on the principle that no minority is diminished when
another minority is acknowledged,” said Laurie Arron, director of advocacy of Egale Canada and political coordinator for Canadians for Equal Marriage. He added, laughing, “I think that’s what makes this country great – or I should say one of the things.” The legislation was drafted and vigorously supported by Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Liberal Party government. Liberal senators had threatened to force a vote on the bill if Conservatives dragged out the debate. Conservative Senator Gerry St. Germain tried to push through a motion that would have delayed a final vote for six months. St. Germain told the Senate that recognizing gay marriage would damage heterosexual marriage, according to Canadian news reports. The vote for marriage equality finally came around 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19. “There is no point in further postponement,” said Jack Austin, the Liberal leader in the Senate, as reported by the Canadian press. “There are no new issues to be argued, there are no
Arron said that polls show that a majority of Canadian voters don’t want Parliament to reopen the issue. AccordContinued on page 8
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