· Does the Commission consider that failing to recognise legally contracted marriages between two spouses of the same sex constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation?

2. Calls on Member States to fully implement the rights granted under Article 2 and Article 3 of Directive 2004/38/EC not only to different sex spouses, but also to the registered partner, member of the household and the partner, including same-sex couples recognized by a Member State, irrespective of nationality and without prejudice to their non-recognition in civil law by another Member State, on the basis of the principles of mutual recognition, equality, non-discrimination, dignity, and private and family life; calls on Member States to bear in mind that the Directive imposes an obligation to recognize freedom of movement to all Union citizens (including same-sex partners) without imposing the recognition of same-sex marriages; in th ...[+++]is regard, calls on the Commission to issue strict guidelines, drawing on the analysis and conclusions contained in the Fundamental Rights Agency report and to monitor these issues;

2. Calls on Member States to fully implement the rights granted under Article 2 and Article 3 of Directive 2004/38/EC not only to different sex spouses, but also to the registered partner, member of the household and the partner, including same-sex couples recognized by a Member State, irrespective of nationality and without prejudice to their non-recognition in civil law by another Member State, on the basis of the principles of mutual recognition, equality, non-discrimination, dignity, and private and family life; calls on Member States to bear in mind that the Directive imposes an obligation to recognize freedom of movement to all Union citizens (including same-sex partners) without imposing the recognition of same-sex marriages; in th ...[+++]is regard, calls on the Commission to issue strict guidelines, drawing on the analysis and conclusions contained in the Fundamental Rights Agency report and to monitor these issues;

If Bill C-38 does pass, it would permit these people—meaning these groups—who want to marry same sex couples to do so, while also protecting the right of the Catholic Church, the Baptist Church and other religious groups not to marry same sex couples if they so choose. In other words, will we not achieve the appropriate balance by protecting the right of some to perform marriages if they so choose and the right of others to not perform such marriages, if that is their choice?

Very religious people and even ministers, among others ministers of the United Church and the Unitarian Church as well as rabbis, who have very rich and very solid religious traditions, have come and told us that their theology permitted them to accept same-sex spouses and to consider same-sex couples as a strength and that those couples should be recognized in the same way as opposite-sex couples.

The refusal to recognize same-sex marriage reinforces discriminatory and prejudicial attitudes (0910) Instead of sending a message that all Canadians are to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of sexual orientation, the message sent by the current exclusion from the institution of marriage is unmistakable, that same-sex couples are unworthy of equal recognition and that a distinction must be made between same-sex and opposite-sex couples in order to protect the institution of marriage.