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Edict on gay weddings: do them or quit B.C. commissioners will have to resign if unwilling to marry same-sex couples Elaine O'Connor, Canada.com from the Web, January 21, 2004 Vancover, B.C. -- All B.C. marriage commissioners who are not willing to marry same-sex couples are being told they must resign by the end of March. Marriage commissioners received a letter yesterday from the B.C. Vital Statistics Agency advising them that any "who feel that they cannot solemnize same-sex marriages" are required to "resign their appointments" effective March 31. The letter from Vital Statistics, dated Jan. 14, asked commissioners to give notice by Feb. 27 so the agency could hire new staff, but made no mention of what would happen if they refused to step down. Opponents of same-sex marriage blasted the agency, saying the right of same-sex couples to marry has yet to be made law. "It looks like the province has decided to jump the gun and actively promote same-sex marriage as a matter of government operational policy," said Conservative MP Paul Forseth (New Westminster-Coquitlam-Burnaby). Forseth said a change to employment conditions midway through a commissioner's tenure would be upsetting and unfair. Instead, he suggested commissioners be organized into two groups: Those who perform same-sex marriages and those who do not. Same-sex marriage supporters were delighted by the move by Vital Statistics. "Obviously the province is realizing that the court has spoken very clearly about same-sex marriages and that individuals who are commissioners can now no more turn down a same-sex marriage than they could if they didn't like the person's colour," said Vancouver city councillor and United Church minister Tim Stevenson. "Why continue discrimination? This is a very different issue than telling a church they would have to conduct a same-sex marriage. It's a particular individual with a secular job. You either do it or you look for different work." The B.C. Court of Appeal altered the definition of marriage to "the union of two persons" in May and lifted a moratorium on same-sex marriages in July. eoconnor@png.canwest.com
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