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] 14 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 31,1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" A show featuring the work of Cynthia Couples is now underway at the Kent Farndale Gallery at Scugog Memorial Library. Ms. Couples, is seen above with some of her beautifully hand painted ceramic creations which include a bowl, tea pot and goblet. The Uxbridge artist was on hand for the official opening of her show last Saturday, which runs until June 17. o.cnlosal aasssesgorsess Mes osss Va Te. . oie tes A ae SG LETTERS To the Editor: There is some confusion to- day with respect to the right to spousal benefits. Some newspa- per columnists suggest that this 1s an equality issue, and that homosexuals are being treated unfairly under existing legisla- tion. Equality is not the issue. Spousal benefits were initiat- ed to help provide for families with children. At the time these benefits were established, most women stayed home to mind the children and the husband was the only wage earner. There- fore, spousal benefits were nec- essary to provide health care and to support the wife should her husband predecease her, as she would have had no opportu- nity to provide for herself. Spou- sal benefits had absolutely nothing to do with whether this was a "loving relationship," but were intended to provide for families who were raising the children who were necessary for DOCK SECTIONS 3' x 12' Pressure treated 99.99 net 3' x12' Cedar 1 29.99 net BUOANCY BILLETS Styrofoam 7" x 20" x 96" (floats 425Ibs.) 56.95 S&------ NY J) Tech Star Dock Floats 1 89.95 We have a complete line of dock hardware. White Discontinued Pedestal Sink | Sw Abl 94.99 1/2 Price White Lined | see Our New Toilets | Line Shade of 30 OO | 76Interior/ | ER Extenor Paint * QUALITY PRODUCTS D/F WINDOWS IN-STOCK UNITS 24" x 40" basement unit 84.99 24" x 32" basement unit 82.99 16" x 32" basement unit 79.95 H40 6 panel WHITE VINYL ENTRY DOORS 210.99 T1500 5' Patio Door 499.95 T1800 6' Patio Door 539.95 all taxes extra LAKE SCUG0G LUMBER CO. ITD. 11 VANEDWARD DRIVE, PORT PERRY 985-7391 * QUALITY SERVICE OPEN SUNDAYS 11am to 4pm COMPETITIVE PRICING the future of Canada. It is true that today in many families both husband and wife are wage earners. However, sta- tistics indicate that often the wife works only part-time or the employer does not provide a health plan or pension plan, so spousal benefits are still neces- sary for most families with chil- dren. There are, of course, married heterosexuals who are child- less, but these are very much in the minority. Most married cou- ples in Canada raise children, and these children are neces- sary to provide for the future of this country. In contrast, while there are some homosexual cou- ples (mainly lesbian) who are raising children, these couples comprise a very small part of the homosexual community. Same-sex spousal rights would benefit all homosexual unions in Ontario, despite the fact that homosexual couples in Ontario are comprised mainly of single men who are well edu- cated and who enjoy a much higher family income than do heterosexual couples, and de- spite the fact that such unions certainly do not provide the next generation for this coun- try. It should be noted that in Feb- ruary, 1991, this very issue was argued before the Supreme Court of Canada. One of the ho- mosexual plaintiffs, Ken Po- pert, who was arguing for "fami- ly status," has been quoted as follows: "I am in a web of rela- tionships, but there is no centre and no boundaries. It is not structured and institutional- ized, the way the family is." Sad to say Mr. Popert speaks for the majority of the homosexual community, where long-term relationships are rare. Spousal rights would include the right to adopt children. In Canada today there is a long waiting list of heterosexual cou- Spousal benefit confusion ples who are anxious to adopt a child. The proposed legislation would make no distinction be- tween homosexual and hetero- sexual couples, even though it has been confirmed by health- care authorities that a stable, natural family environment is the best situation for a child. It therefore makes no sense to place a child in an unnatural family environment. Children are a blessing, not a right; the concern should be for their wel- fare, not for the desires of the prospective parents. Many of us know homosexu- als who are genuinely lovable people and we have no difficulty in accepting them as friends. It is sometimes difficult, there- fore, for us to be labelled as "ho- mophobes" as the media and some of our leaders would sug- gest. For the sake of our fami- lies and our country, however, we must be willing to express our concerns. There is some urgency in this matter. In June, 1993, a Liberal private member's bill concern- ing homosexual spousal rights (which was dropped before third reading) passed both first and second reading within just two weeks. The present bill could be presented for second reading at any time. It is impor- tant that our local members of parliament be urged to stand against spousal benefits for ho- mosexual unions. Apparently the NDP mem- bers of parliament have been in- structed by party leaders that they cannot vote against the party, and that if they have a problem with this legislation, they must not vote but must ab- stain. If all NDP members who were opposed were to abstain, it is likely the legislation would pass. Our members of parlia- ment need to hear from the pub- lic. Sincerely, (Mrs.) Lorraine McNamara Siksay & Fraser L a ww Offices R{eEIRSS EI Ole] fool r=1(e & Commercial Law, \Y[U]a]lel[ oF: R-WBIEYV/=1 To] 0]p a CT a) fl Me VARVAVITI SRA SEY EN (1S Branch Office - Port Perry PAVE ROR EINES) (f=1e) 8 =e Ta 8 21110, Phone: (905) 985-4141 Fax: (305) 985-4598 ed. iss POR I PERRY auto glass & trim id, Main Office - Whitby SRR WALATO1 RS) ((=121 RIA TI), Phone: (905) 666-4772 Fax: (905) 666-3233 139 Water Street & 6 High Street, Port Perry Written Pp I 2 Guarantee * INSURANCE WORK - SAVE uwto *50°° On any one replacement WINDSHIELD Insurance Claim with most insurance companies with this coupon at time of purchase 3 Locations * Mobile Service All Work Guaranteed 985-8507 Port Perry 668-2003 Whitby "AVAILA PORT PERRY STAR OFFICE CENTRE 188 Mary St., Pott Perry + 985-7383 » Fax: 985-3708 ITER RIBBONS