Bringing marriage home: the Reverend Troy Perry has one request for couples getting married in Canada: think twice before filing a court challenge in the United States.When the Reverend Troy Perry asked the state of California to recognize stone-sex marriage in 1970, he became the first person to file a gay-marriage challenge in a U.S. court. But now Perry, founder and moderator moderator - A person, or small group of people, who manages a moderated mailing list or Usenet newsgroup. Moderators are responsible for determining which email submissions are passed on to the list or newsgroup. of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, is urging those U.S. couples getting married in Canada against following his example. "I believe with all of my heart that no one should rush into court [to get their Canadian marriage recognized]," says Perry, who was married to his partner of 18 years, Phillip De Blieck on July 16 in Toronto. Court challenges, he says, need to be part of an effort coordinated by national gay and lesbian organizations. Those that aren't part of that coordinated effort--especially it they're filed in traditionally conservative states--could hinder hin·der 1 v. hin·dered, hin·der·ing, hin·ders v.tr. 1. To be or get in the way of. 2. To obstruct or delay the progress of. v.intr. the overall marriage campaign, he adds. "We've set up a registry where we're asking couples to let us know when they [get married in Canada]," Perry says, "so we can share that list with all our groups--the groups that hire attorneys for the gay and lesbian community in America." Responding to some gay rights activists who have cautioned American gay couples not to rush into a Canadian marriage, Perry says he would "disagree with Verb 1. disagree with - not be very easily digestible; "Spicy food disagrees with some people" hurt - give trouble or pain to; "This exercise will hurt your back" any organization that says [same sex] couples shouldn't go to Canada to marry. The more we have, the better it will be." Ever since losing his pioneering lawsuit in 1970, Perry has been a fixture An article in the nature of Personal Property which has been so annexed to the realty that it is regarded as a part of the real property. That which is fixed or attached to something permanently as an appendage and is not removable. in the fight for equal marriage rights. In addition to the numerous rallies and demonstrations he has organized over the years, he oversees an annual Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. campaign in which same-sex couples A same-sex couple is a pair of people of the same gender who pursue a romantic or sexual relationship together. The term "same-sex relationship" may be used when the sexual orientation of participants in a same-sex relationship is not known. go to county clerks' offices around the country to apply for marriage licenses. "Marriage is the premier issue of our community," Perry says, "the premier issue that would make all the difference for us in American culture." |
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