Sorry, Your Application Has Been De-Kleined

"Hands off that there definition, partner!"

Alberta Premier and local gunslinger Ralph Klein fought the redefinition of marriage to the bitter end, going so far as to threaten to ruin civil marriage for everyone by having the province pull out of the marriage business altogether. He's since backed down and acknowledged that the new, inclusive definition of marriage is a reality. The fight for marriage is over and Klein has lost.

The Premier can't seem to leave well enough alone, however, and plans to introduce legislation allowing officials, including marriage commissioners, to refuse to marry gay or lesbian couples on the basis of cultural values or religious belief. I strongly support the religious freedom of church officials, but Klein is going too far by extending protection to civil servants. Marriage commissioners are government representatives and bound to follow the law of the land. They have no more right to refuse to marry same-sex couples than a Saudi working at the MTO has to refuse to issue a driver's license to a woman. If a commissioner finds himself unable to perform his duties, then he should find another job. At least a dozen Manitoba commissioners found themselves in just this situation and were forced to quit. Ontario also requires their commissioners to perform marriages for same-sex couples. There is no reason for Alberta not to follow suit.

I appreciate the fact that the marriage war is over and that these peripheral issues will eventually sort themselves out. I also know that the redefinition of marriage will, over time, translate into even stronger public support for gay and lesbian causes and may eventually open the eyes of even the most hardened traditionalists -- including Mr. Klein.