CBCnews
Story Tools: EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share

Airbase hosts 1st military gay wedding

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 | 1:43 PM ET

Two men were married in the chapel at Nova Scotia's Greenwood airbase in May, in what's being called the Canadian military's first gay wedding.

Lt.-Cmdr. David Greenwood, the base's head chaplain, said a sergeant and a warrant officer were married May 3 in front of about 45 guests.

"This couple had been waiting a very long, long time," said Greenwood, declining to give their names because he hadn't asked for permission.

In September, the Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruled that banning same-sex marriages is unconstitutional, effectively changing the definition of marriage in the province to "the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others."

The military has said it's willing to host gay weddings in jurisdictions where it's legal.

A low-key marriage ceremony

Greenwood, an Anglican, did not perform the marriage but he did make the arrangements for the service while a United Church minister from nearby Wolfville performed the vows.

"I looked after the co-ordination in accordance with our military policy of receiving the couple with dignity and respect," said Greenwood.

"I was there to preach and welcome the community on behalf of the base chaplaincy."

While most Anglican dioceses in Canada do not perform same-sex marriages, the Canadian church has postponed its official decision until 2007.

Greenwood said the ceremony was relaxed and low-key, and there wasn't a dry eye in sight when the couple signed the marriage documents.

Greenwood said he has been told that a second same-sex marriage may be in the works this year, at CFB Valcartier in Quebec.

Same-sex marriage legal in 7 provinces, 1 territory

In 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Ottawa has exclusive jurisdiction to decide who has the right to get married in this country, but that religious groups are not obliged to perform unions against their beliefs.

Federal politicians are now considering a same-sex marriage bill.

Currently, same-sex marriages performed in seven provinces and one territory are legal and must be recognized. Same-sex marriages are not performed in Alberta, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, but the Nunavut government will recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

  • This story is now closed to commenting.
Story Tools: EMAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK | Bookmark and Share
 

Related

Canada Headlines

Disgraced N.S. bishop Lahey replaced Video
The Roman Catholic Church has appointed a replacement for Bishop Raymond Lahey, of the Diocese of Antigonish, N.S., who is facing child pornography charges.
Vancouver Island evacuation order lifted Video
An evacuation order has been lifted for hundreds of south Vancouver Island residents forced from their homes by flooding.
4 dead in crash south of Calgary
RCMP say four people died when two vehicles collided on a stretch of divided highway about 75 kilometres south of Calgary.
N.B. man recovering after car plunges into culvert
A New Brunswick man is recovering in hospital after his car plunged into a washed-out culvert near Chipman.
McCain argues against Afghanistan exit date Video
U.S. Senator John McCain says military exit dates and exit strategies in Afghanistan should not even be discussed until NATO gets the upper hand in its fight against Taliban militants.

Top CBCNews.ca Headlines

Headlines

McCain argues against Afghanistan exit date Video
U.S. Senator John McCain says military exit dates and exit strategies in Afghanistan should not even be discussed until NATO gets the upper hand in its fight against Taliban militants.
Rocket hits luxury hotel in Afghan capital
At least two people were hurt when a rocket struck a wall of the heavily guarded Serena Hotel in Kabul, the Interior Ministry says.
Disgraced N.S. bishop Lahey replaced Video
The Roman Catholic Church has appointed a replacement for Bishop Raymond Lahey, of the Diocese of Antigonish, N.S., who is facing child pornography charges.
Vancouver Island evacuation order lifted Video
An evacuation order has been lifted for hundreds of south Vancouver Island residents forced from their homes by flooding.
42 dead after China mine blast
At least 42 miners are dead and dozens still trapped underground after a coal mine explosion in northern China early Saturday.