Halifax Grand Parade hosts 27 vow renewals on same-sex marriage anniversary
Couples registered for 'You're Still The One' event; Mayor Mike Savage officiated
Halifax Grand Parade hosted 27 couples who renewed their marriage vows on Friday, in part to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Canada's Civil Marriage Act that legalized same-sex unions.
Mayor Mike Savage officiated the ceremonies, part of an event called You're Still the One, celebrating marriage equality.
Tee Martin and Meegan Dowe met online as they blogged about their weight loss journey. Their long-distance relationship flourished over Skype, because Martin was living in Seattle, Washington.
But when they decided to get married four years ago, they had to elope to Vancouver because the state of Washington didn't recognize same-sex marriages at the time.
"Once we were married, we flew back to my hometown and we stepped off the plane, our marriage was no longer recognized," said Martin.
Martin and Dowe say they are thrilled to renew their vows at Friday's event.
"Not only for the reason of standing up in front of our families for the first time, but also being so soon after the Marriage Equality Act passing in the States where Tee is from — it's just meant that much more," Dowe said.
On July 20, 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world and the first one outside Europe to legalize same-sex marriages.
Savage, who was a member of Parliament at the time, thinks it's appropriate to mark the occasion.
"I'm proud of it. I'm proud that Canada led the way on this," said Savage. "Let's just be happy that you can love whoever you want to love in this country."