Canada legalises gay marriages

OTTAWA - Canada formally became the fourth country in the world to legalise gay marriages today after the country's Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation.

Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain already permit same-sex marriages, and a number of Canadian provinces have been allowing such legal unions for some time.

The Senate upper chamber - dominated by members from the governing Liberal party - voted 47-21 to pass the law.

The House of Commons had already approved the legislation despite fierce opposition from conservative politicians and from religious groups who portrayed it as an attack on organised religion.

The law came into power today when a Supreme Court judge approved it. That job would normally be done by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, who represents Queen Elizabeth, Canada's head of state. But Clarkson is recovering after having had a pacemaker fitted earlier this month.

The Liberal government said it had to draw up the legislation to allow same-sex marriages across the country after courts in eight of the 10 provinces ruled that a heterosexual-only definition of marriage was unconstitutional.

Opponents fear churches and religious officials could be sued for refusing to carry out same sex marriages.

However, while the legislation grants gays and lesbians the right to full civil marriages, it makes clear that religious officials would not be obliged to marry same-sex couples.

Some provinces have already become something of a tourist destination for gay couples from other countries who are seeking to get married.

Canadian residency requirements are less strict than those in other countries that allow gay marriage, but the new unions may not be recognised in the couples' home countries.

- REUTERS