Government to Gays: Don't Tell Us You're Married
Well, it’s census time in Canada again. Ah, Cenususeses… Censii? Those dainty twice-a-decade questionnaires where you get to inform the government of all your personal relationships. But, for all the happily married gay couples out there this year, don’t be so quick to check the “husband or wife” bubble when describing your partner’s relationship to you! The government has provided special instructions for your type.
That’s right; someone must’ve missed the point of the whole equal marriage law, because the census form now instructs all same-sex married couples to check “other” instead of “husband or wife” when describing their partners. This would put your beloved spouse in the same category as cousin, niece or nephew, roommate’s spouse or child, and, of course, employee.
Naturally, Egale Canada, a Canadian gay human rights group, is disappointed.
Everyone who completes the 2006 Census will see that our relationships are segregated. We’re already getting phone calls from dismayed members and we’re concerned about the subtle yet widespread impact of millions of Canadians seeing that our marriages are denigrated in this way.
Sad. But, who knows? Maybe this new terminology will catch on—even among straight people! Everyone will dream of that special day when they walk down the isle to profess their undying love—to hear those wonderful words, “I now pronounce you other and other.” (Sniff.)
- Right’s group blasts census for advice to gay couples [Globe and Mail]
- Census error unfair to married same-sex couples [Egale Canada]
