Canada Passes Gay Marriage Bill

Canada's House of Commons passed landmark legislation Tuesday to legalize gay marriage, granting same-sex couples legal rights equal to those in traditional unions between a man and a woman.

The bill passed as expected, despite opposition from Conservatives and religious leaders. The legislation drafted by Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority Liberal Party government was also expected to easily pass the Senate and become federal law by the end of July.

Gay marriage has already been legal in some Canadian provinces, but this is still a significant victory. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin announced the passage and declared it a necessary step for human rights. What I wouldn't give for a political leader in America to show that kind of moral (yes, moral) leadership rather than exploiting fear of Them to score cheap political points.