Same-sex couples get
travel warning
Ottawa cautions
married gays, lesbians that
some countries might
turn them away
By JANE TABER,
theglobeandmail.com on the Web, July 25, 2005
OTTAWA -- Foreign Affairs is
warning same-sex married couples to be aware that when travelling abroad they
may be refused entry by countries that do not accept or acknowledge gay
marriage.
"Attempting to enter a country as a same-sex married couple may result in
refusal by local officials," the statement issued by Foreign Affairs says.
The department also cautions that, in certain countries, homosexual activity is
illegal, and if convicted a person could face a fine, imprisonment and/or
whipping, as well as being subject to deportation or even death.
Coming just days after same-sex marriage became the legal in Canada, the warning
advises lesbian and homosexual couples to be aware of their rights and also the
laws of the country they are planning to visit.
"We cannot take for granted that rights that are recognized in Canada will be
recognized or accepted abroad," Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew says
in the statement.
He notes that, "many countries still do not permit such marriages."
Indeed, Canada became one of only four countries to legalize same-sex marriage
when the legislation received royal assent on Wednesday.
The Netherlands, Belgium and Spain are the other three.
Mr. Pettigrew's communications director, Sébastien Théberge, said the warning
was prompted, in part, by "concerns and questions from Canadians," and the
recent passage of the legislation.
"Sometimes we take it for granted of what we have, and the kind of rights we
have in Canada. But it's not everywhere," he said yesterday.
He said that while Canadians are well looked after by Canadian consular
officials abroad, it's also the responsibility of Foreign Affairs to "tell
Canadians what we can't do for them."
The department is urging same-sex married couples to consult its consular
affairs website (http://www.voyage.gc.ca)
to ensure they know their rights and the laws of the country they want to visit.
For example, the Foreign Affairs website entry for Qatar, a country in the
Middle East, notes that "homosexuality is illegal. Convicted offenders may
face lengthy jail sentences, lashing and/or deportation."
Alex Munter, head of Canadians for Equal Marriage, said yesterday that, "lesbian
and gay travellers have always known that there are parts of the world where
they are unwelcome."
However, he said that Foreign Affairs is providing a "useful informative service
to Canadian citizens" with this website.
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