Told in their own words, this is the true story of the first gay couple in the world to be issued a marriage certificate and their fight for government recognition.

Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell made international news headlines and human rights history in January 2001 when they became the first gay couple anywhere in the world to be issued a government marriage certificate. They did this according to a well-established Christian tradition — the reading of the banns — which has been incorporated into provincial law in Canada. The Metropolitan Community Church has since launched a lawsuit seeking government registration of the marriage, thus removing the last restriction on equal treatment of homosexuals under the law. It is expected that the case will go to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Despite the legal and political wrangling, the attacks of some churches against others, and the glare of the media lights, this remains a story of two people who chose to make a life together and sought the support of both church and state for their marriage. They believe they have taken part in an event that will expand human rights, not just for Canadians, but for citizens, families, and communities everywhere.

“Homosexuals are equal members of society, entitled to the same rights as anyone else. Why, then, should they be denied the right to marry?” — The Globe and Mail

“Saying marriage is a privilege reserved only for those who are lucky enough to be heterosexual is akin to saying it’s reserved for whites only. It’s unfair to bar an entire group of people from an institution because of something they cannot change.” — Toronto Sun

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"Human progress, whether social or religious, never comes because the people in charge of things invite the dispossessed to join them. It only happens when the dispossessed themselves take action.... That's just what Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell have done. Tired of the arrogance of a system that tells them their love is not one that can be sanctioned and sanctified, they just got on and did it. This book tells us what the future is going to look like, because people like Kevin and Joe are out there making it come true." -- Bishop Richard Holloway, Episcopal Church of Scotland

"Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell write with eloquence and deep insight of their journey to their historic marriage at MCC in Toronto. We gay and lesbian people, whose love for our partners is just as strong, just as real, just as beautiful as that of straight couples, are tired of being second-class citizens in our own land. It is my hope that this moving story will bring us closer to full respect and equality." -- Svend Robinson, MP, Burnaby-Douglas

"Through this personal account, we become witnesses to one gay couple's struggle to win the freedom to marry, along with their pastor and members of their church, friends and family, the media, lawyers, the usual right-wing suspects opposing equality, and ultimately, even the Prime Minister and Governor-General of Canada. We are led to ask a question now engaging Canada, Europe, and the United States: 'The couple's in love, their family is happy, the church is ready, their commitment is real ... so why won't the government let them get married?'" -- Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry Project, New York

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Find out more at EqualMarriage.ca

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Part 1
A Burning Platform
Part 2
Banns on the Run
Part 3
Kiss and Make Up
Part 4
Your People Shall Be My People
Part 5
Just Married
Acknowledgments
Index

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Kevin Bourassa, raised near military bases in Canada, France and Germany, moved to Toronto in 1976. He is a manager at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Joe Varnell was born in Toronto and is a designer with Sony. They live in Toronto.

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