A victory for some, a loss for others. Why same-sex couples need to fight for the same rights as other Canadians is beyond me. These are the opinions that have divided a country in recent months. But whether it's viewed as a step back or a step forward, Canada pushed itself further to ensuring equal rights to all citizens of the country. While the issue of same-sex marriage in Canada has been debated for years, the federal government finally is "allowing" anyone and everyone in Canada to legally wed the person they want to spend the rest of their life with -- man and man or woman and woman.

       Not all political figures share the same sentiment as the prime minister. In over half of the provinces and territories in Canada, same-sex unions were already recognized as being legal. In Alberta, however, there is strong objection from the provincial government to allow such unions. It's widely known that smaller towns generally oppose things that aren't considered to be the norm or "traditional." But in large centres like Calgary and Edmonton, the gay community is feeling misrepresented by their government.

       The argument is that same-sex marriages are not traditional. But something that is also not considered "traditional" is premarital sex. How many people are abiding by that these days? I would like to hear from those politicians opposed to the same-sex legislation if they have always been married to the person with whom they have shared a romantic encounter. Why aren't people protesting gothic weddings, or the weddings where the bride and groom are dressed as characters from Star Wars? Would these types of marriages be considered "traditional"? I'm going to say no to that one.

       Last week in Edmonton there were two cases of gay bashing in the news. Alberta's political figures didn't seem too concerned about the incidents. But if a province's government doesn't value the lives of homosexuals and thinks that these people aren't equal to the rest of society it seems highly unlikely that the general public would accept such a lifestyle. At the beginning of July the highly contested city-wide smoking ban came into effect in Edmonton. While most people (mainly smokers) don't agree with the law, they may get huffy and 'puff'y at first, but eventually they will come to accept it. There is one difference here. While smoking affects the health of the smoker and bystanders, these people are still allowed to smoke, but with some restrictions. Same-sex marriage doesn't cause any health issues to bystanders but many people want that banned. Smoking gives some people pleasure. Marrying who you love gives everyone pleasure. Why should one group not be permitted to do that? What kind of a country would we live in if we are told who we can and cannot love?

       To compare the smoking bylaw and the same-sex legislation may seem bizarre, but it isn't if you really think about it. It appears people who choose to smoke feel that they should have more rights than someone who, as many would argue against, was born a certain way. People choose to smoke. Some say you choose to be gay. The difference is you can choose to quit smoking, but you can't quit being who you are. At a young age if a person realizes they are attracted to someone of the same gender, they soon grow to accept it. As a teenager many kids experiment with smoking. It is a choice they make to try it, and if he or she wants to continue smoking, they are well within their rights to continue on (once reaching the legal age). But who's to say the government is allowed to tell people who they can or can't be attracted to and fall in love with? Smoking may bother many people, but it is accepted that it is a choice one makes. Yes, the government now restricts the places you can smoke, but at the same time, it is for the betterment of your health and the health of those around you. Nothing bad will happen to your health by seeing two men kissing. If it does, get medical help now. Is this a one-sided view though? Many heterosexual men find it a turn on to see two women engaging in such sexual behaviour. Why do men find it OK to see two women together but it is not accepted for two men to be together?

       Part of the protest in Ottawa last week saw a woman arguing that marriage should only be defined as the union of a man and a woman -- two people who can create life to carry on the future of Canada, she said. What about those gay couples who have adopted a child from a heterosexual woman who didn't want or couldn't care for it? Don't we owe these people something for saving a child? And what about heterosexual couples who can't have children for any number of reasons? Medical reasons perhaps. Shouldn't we then make a law that all heterosexual couples must have at least one child to keep the population growing and criminally convict any of those couples that don't have children? According to the woman, it is the duty of male-female couples to continue on populating the nation. If you don't, there should be a hefty fine, if you ask me. Seems a bit ridiculous, doesn't it? But if these children share the same view as their narrow-minded parents, perhaps we should ban procreation all together.

       Troubled children who commit crimes are far more of a threat for the future of Canada than a homosexual couple. These kids are running around shooting and killing people and destroying communities. These kids were also born from a male and female. So according to the protester in Ottawa, she would prefer these kids be allowed to run the streets committing felonies, as long as two people of the same gender aren't allowed to conduct themselves how they wish in their own homes. If that's the case, let's get the hell out of here. Whether it is poor guidance from negatively-thinking heterosexual parents or a lack of caring from within the family, these children are not raised with the love and a sense of openness as a child raised in a homosexual household. And to say that more harm is done when children are raised in a same-sex household is a farce, as these children grow to see a loving bond between two people, whether they are two men or two women. They are also raised to see that just because two people may be different from the rest of society it is OK to be who they are and will be accepted for decisions they make in life. Homosexual parents know the struggle to overcome stereotypes and face day to day challenges from an unjust society. Not to say all homosexuals would make perfect parents, but if they are capable of loving, caring and raising a child, in a home that is free of hatred, who is anyone to object to the well-being of that child?

       By now we know it's not right to discriminate against someone because of their gender, race, age or whatever. But for some reason there are still those groups that don't want everyone in Canada to be equal and have the same basic rights as the rest of the nation. That certainly is a shame. The ability to love and accept people for who they are is what we should want our country to be known for. Not singling out and shunning those who don't follow "traditional" 1930s values. After all, it is 2006, isn't it?