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Concerning the issue of same sex marriage, there is a void in dialogue that the media seems reticent to express or maybe ignorant of. Possibly, solutions to problems are poor for the media organism's circulation. The question of same sex marriage (unions if you are a federal politician) has garnered a lot of debate. The interim answer, same sex unions, is sort of like marriage light, all the obligations with only half the rights. Are taxes like marriage for gays and lesbians? The answer to this and the same sex marriage debate are really one in the same. Human rights and responsibilities are really a one size fits all idea in our society. The solution really needs to be framed around the idea of inclusion and social conscience.

For the benefit of those not really up on the gory details of the discussion here is a brief, somewhat simplified summation. The conservative (small "c") right centric populous says that gays and lesbians should know there place and that is not in a church, not before God and those gathered here. Opinions about same sex marriage from the liberal (small "l") left centric side argues that marriage is not really a Christian institution any more but a government regulated contract that the church may or may not approve of.

For the church, the issues are; that marriage is Christian institution, they believe that homosexuality is a seriously inappropriate behaviour (Sodom and Gomorra) issue. Even divorce and remarriage are still problematic and those decisions were made long ago and there still has been no real acceptance of these states of dissolution, how then do we say they must perform these ceremonies. We can not.

There are a lot of gays and lesbians want a "Christian marriage", in a church, with all of the trappings. For them in this whole dialogue, any outcome will not be acceptable. There is very little to sooth the pain of rejection. Being led to believe that the "Perfect" creator of the universe and all the little parts made a mistake in making them and abandoned them is a painful abusive ideology. That is, like it or not is the language of religion. By its very nature religions are inclusive to its members and exclusive to certain individuals, groups and even foods groups. This is Canada, they have that right.

Before the same sex marriage law came into effect, if a gay or lesbian wanted to receive insurance benefit from their spouses insurance, it was not always possible. If their partner was in hospital in intensive care and only family members were allowed in, they would more often than not be turned away. For what ever reasons. This is Canada, they did have that right.

The issue goes deeper. Not long ago, if a straight man discovered that a man in his proximity was gay, he could legally end that mans life and as a defence call it homosexual panic. In the eyes of the law and proper society that was a reasonable excuse to terminate the life of another human being. That was Canada; that was their right.

Then there were gay bashings and a few firebombing incidents, a litany of hateful expressions directed the members of that community. Of late