Gay marriage legalized in Ontario
The Story
After decades of fighting the system, "the Michaels" aren't going to wait another minute. Michael Leshner and Michael Stark are the first to take advantage of today's Ontario Court of Appeal ruling allowing same-sex couples to be married. "We're the genies out of the bottle," says Leshner, a Crown attorney and gay rights activist, just hours after their Toronto courthouse wedding. "Symbolically, it's a huge, huge thing for us," the couple tell CBC-TV's Ben Chin. "This is a dream come true for us."
Program: Canada Now
Broadcast Date: June 10, 2003
Guest(s): Michael Leshner, Michael Stark
Host: Ben Chin
Duration: 4:00
Did You know?
• In 1992, Michael Leshner was instrumental in having an Ontario court rule in favour of allowing survivor benefits for gay couples.
• In 2003, after their marriage, the Michaels were named Canadian newsmakers of the year by Time magazine and appeared in Toronto's pride parade.
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