Alberta issues its first gay-marriage licence By PABLO FERNANDEZ, CALGARY SUN
It took less than half an hour after same-sex marriage became legal in Alberta yesterday for a licence to be issued to a gay couple here.
Bill C-38, which makes gay marriage legal in Canada, was given royal assent yesterday and, about 4:30 p.m., Alberta followed suit, legalizing unions for gay couples, said Alberta Government Services spokeswoman Kim Hunt.
"Same-sex marriage is now legal in Alberta. ... We granted the first marriage licence about 25 minutes ago," said Hunt, at 5:25 p.m. yesterday.
"We are sending messages to registries throughout the province electronically, through faxes and via phone messages, alerting them of the changes and explaining to them the procedures they have to follow when processing the applications."
Stephen Lock -- a Calgarian who sits on the board of Egale Canada, a group working for equal rights for homosexuals nationwide -- said he was surprised by how fast a gay male couple was able to get a licence in Alberta, a staunch opponent of same sex marriages.
"I'm not surprised that a couple would just wait for the green light and rush down to get their licence," he said.
"But I am surprised it would be that quick, after the bill got royal assent, for a gay couple to be able to get a marriage licence."
Lock said although he's not aware of any city couples rushing to get their marriage licences, Calgarians Keith Purdy and Rick Kennedy have set a date for their wedding, to be held on Aug. 20.
"Today is the day when gay couples have the same rights as other Canadians and that's what it's all been about," said Lock. "It's been a long day ... but a good day."
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