NDP Answers My Question on Same-sex Marriage and Transgender Rights

Filed Under GLBT Equality, Gay Marriage, Human Rights, Politics, TG | September 29th, 2008 

The NDP has finally answered (11 days later) my emailed questions about Same-sex marriage and Transgender rights. They sent me an email on Thursday but, I was busy with my own same-sex wedding (more about that another time); so I wasn’t able to post their reply until today.

The question that I posed was this:

Is the NDP still committed to Same-sex marriage? And do Canada’s marriage laws permit transgendered people to marry? That last one I actually had no clue — I just assumed that they do. So, I thought I’d include that question as they would have a better idea of what’s what in that area.

The NDP’s Answer — According to an anonymous person who simply signed theirself as ‘Jack Layton’s New Democrats’:

“The NDP wholeheartedly supports NDP MP Bill Siksay’s bill protecting Transgendered Canadians, which bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, you can check out http://www.ndp.ca/page/5165. You can track the motion by visiting: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Pub=status&File=9 and scrolling down until you come to M-309.”

“Regarding the issue of same-sex marriage, the federal NDP views this issue as one of equality rights. We remain steadfast in calling for the extension of the basic rights that many Canadians take for granted including equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. Should this issue be re-visited, the NDP will once again vote in favour of extending the same rights to gay and lesbian couples enjoyed by heterosexual couples. The NDP’s position on same-sex marriage, supported by our membership via a democratic vote at convention, is consistent with the very roots and traditions of our Party. This is why we see same-sex marriage as a question of principle.”

My Notes:

- Bill Siskay’s motion M-309 has to do with C-326 An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (gender identity). The purpose of this enactment is to include gender identity or expression as a prohibited ground of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act.

- As of today, the Liberal Party and The Conservatives have still not responded to my query on these issues.

Related Post:
The Green Party’s Response: Canadian Green Party Ready, Willing and Able