Gay couples from around the world flocked to Toronto this week for a mass same-sex marriage ceremony in a midtown castle setting, timed to coincide with the city’s World Pride Week.
Toronto’s interim mayor, Norm Kelly, called the ceremony at the midtown Neo-Gothic castle a celebration of “the power of love,” Agence France-Presse reported.
One man from Australia, who said he’s been waiting 37 years to officially marry his male partner, called the event a happy relief.
“After a while, you think it’s never going to happen,” he told AFP.
His partner added: “We’ll call ourselves husband and husband, even though our marriage won’t be recognized when we go home.”
Fifteen countries around the world now recognize gay marriage. Canada was embroiled in legal battles over the issue, but a slew of recent court decisions forced Ottawa lawmakers to legalize the unions in 2005.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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