Americans watch Canada to see what comes down the pike after society accepts and legalizes same-sex 'marriage.'
For background, read Courts May Legalize Polygamy in Canada
UPDATE 11/24/11: British Columbia Supreme Court upholds Canada's polygamy law, making multiple marriages illegal
UPDATE 4/1/11: Same-sex marriage laws limits union to only two persons?
-- From "Civil liberties group supports B.C. polygamists" posted at Vancouver Sun 3/18/11
Canada's anti-polygamy law offends fundamental freedoms protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, argues the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.
"This law is a Victorian statute," BCCLA lawyer Monique Pongracic-Speier said in a written statement. "It is time for it to be relegated to the scrap heap of history. It invites the state to inspect the bedrooms — and kitchens and living rooms — of consenting adults who find fulfilment in plural relationships. It erodes the dignity of people involved in those relationships and denies them the privacy that is available to couples and monogamous families."
"The BCCLA argues that individuals should be free to make the life choices they wish so long as those choices do not harm other people and they engage in them with free, informed and full consent," Pongracic-Speier said in a press release. "By intruding into adults' decisions about the form of conjugal relationship that best meets their personal needs and aspirations, the law overextends the reach of the criminal law into individuals' private lives, intruding into their most private relationships."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "B.C. polygamists win support of civil rights group" posted at The Canadian Press 3/18/11
Final arguments in the case will begin later this month in B.C. Supreme Court, which has heard months of testimony both for and against upholding the federal law, including conflicting expert testimony about whether the practice of multiple marriage is inherently harmful to women and children.
Written arguments have already been filed by several interveners in the case, as well as the federal and provincial governments.
Both levels of government are defending the law, arguing polygamy is inherently harmful and must be kept illegal. They've alleged multiple marriage inevitably leads to sexual and physical abuse, child brides, teen pregnancies and the trafficking of young girls to be married.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Hollywood Mainstreams Polygamy in TV Series as well as Polygamist Dares Utah Authorities - He May Win
