Happy Pride Month! Photographed here is a set of engagement rings for a couple, both identifying with as he/him. 🌈🏳️🌈💍On the left is a Madagascar sapphire in Laurel Green, and on the right is a Parti (multi-colour) Montana sapphire. Both are set in AKARA Label 18k yellow gold._________________________________________________
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Same-sex marriage was legalized in Ontario on June 10, 2003, and nationwide on July 20, 2005. Who was the first same-sex couple to be married in Canada? It’s not actually a definitive answer, considering this story:
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"After pronouncing [Paula] Barrero and [Blanca] Mejias spouses on Sep 29, 2001, [Rev. Dr. Cheri] DiNovo sent the papers to the registrar in Thunder Bay, where she hoped the Latino-sounding names would confuse the clerks. It worked. The clerks missed the gender on the application and mistakenly issued a complete marriage certificate to the same-sex couple.” .
“The marriage was processed by Thunder Bay in 2001 and it was registered in 2001,” says Cheri DiNovo. “That’s why it was the first registered marriage. The ones that were done at MCCT in January of 2001 were not registered until the law changed [last month].”
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“I always say that it is exciting to have a lot of firsts,” says DiNovo. “The good news is that now there are many, which is a very positive step.” .
Excerpt from Ian Mackenzie "Who’s on first?" Xtra! Magazine, July 10, 2003.