Canadian gay married couple hits snag at U.S. border ( 2003-09-19 09:53) (Agencies)
The United States denied entry to Canada's first legally married gay couple
because they had filled out a single customs form as a family, Canada's foreign
ministry said.
A US customs official at Toronto Pearson International Airport denied entry
to Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell, CBC television said.
They are the couple whose case led an Ontario court to recognize gay marriage
in June.
The customs agent denied them entry as a family because the United States
does not recognize same-sex marriage. The United States allows all members of a
family to use the same form.
The two men refused to fill out separate forms and canceled their trip to
Braselton, Georgia, where they were due to participate in a human rights
conference.
Doug Elliott, a lawyer for the couple, told the CBC he was considering legal
action against the Canadian and US governments.
"A law in Canada does not have extra-territorial application. Each country is
free to impose conditions of entry to its territory," foreign ministry spokesman
Reynold Doiron said.
Varnell and Bourrassa celebrated their union in January 2001 in Toronto, a
few weeks after the Netherlands enacted a law allowing gay marriage. They won
their legal battle to have their relationship legally recognized as marriage in
the province of Ontario.
Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell said they refused to enter the United States,
and their lawyer said he is looking into possible legal action for alleged
violation of the couple's rights. A court in British Columbia will follow soon
afterward.
Canada's federal government is considering legislation that would recognize
same-sex marriage throughout the country.
