A gay couple celebrates after hearing the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on same-sex marriage.

The ruling, on a draft law, cleared the final obstacle for Canada to follow the Netherlands and Belgium in authorizing same-sex marriage. Spain is moving in a similar direction.

The court gave the go-ahead to Parliament to pass a national law legalizing gay marriage, a step that has strong public support.

Lower court rulings had upheld gay marriage in most Canadian provinces, leading to thousands of such weddings. Many have been between Americans who traveled to Canada.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 18, 2004
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