Two women from Russia — denied the opportunity to wed in their homeland — will be married in Toronto on Friday.
Irina Fedotova-Fet and Irina Shipitko twice asked a Russian court to allow them to marry at a registry office in Moscow, but both times the court dismissed their request on the grounds that Russian law only permits marriages between men and women.
They hope their Canadian marriage certificate will help the movement for same-sex marriage in Russia.
But first, the couple just want to enjoy their day.
Fedotova-Fet said she's thrilled her wedding day has finally arrived.
"We got acquainted five years ago," she said speaking through an interpreter, "and all this time we were together."
The couple, she said, have been "waiting for this day."
After being denied the opportunity to marry in Russia they struck on the idea of having their marriage in Canada, where same-sex marriages have been taking place since 2001.
Russian law does recognize international marriages but doesn't make any mention of same-sex unions.
Lawyer Nicolai Alexeyev hopes the couple's Canadian marriage certificate will carry some weight in the couple's appeal for recognition to Russia's Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
"We are trying to help them, but we are also trying to help many, many couples who do not believe it is possible. It is possible, and they're showing that it is possible," said Alexeyev.
Fedotova-Fet and Shipitko will stay in Canada for six days before returning home. -Source CBC News
Irina Fedotova-Fet and Irina Shipitko twice asked a Russian court to allow them to marry at a registry office in Moscow, but both times the court dismissed their request on the grounds that Russian law only permits marriages between men and women.
They hope their Canadian marriage certificate will help the movement for same-sex marriage in Russia.
But first, the couple just want to enjoy their day.
Fedotova-Fet said she's thrilled her wedding day has finally arrived.
"We got acquainted five years ago," she said speaking through an interpreter, "and all this time we were together."
The couple, she said, have been "waiting for this day."
After being denied the opportunity to marry in Russia they struck on the idea of having their marriage in Canada, where same-sex marriages have been taking place since 2001.
Russian law does recognize international marriages but doesn't make any mention of same-sex unions.
Lawyer Nicolai Alexeyev hopes the couple's Canadian marriage certificate will carry some weight in the couple's appeal for recognition to Russia's Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
"We are trying to help them, but we are also trying to help many, many couples who do not believe it is possible. It is possible, and they're showing that it is possible," said Alexeyev.
Fedotova-Fet and Shipitko will stay in Canada for six days before returning home. -Source CBC News
I just have to say my fiancee and I are excited and proud for the Irina's, and very honoured to be attending their Toronto wedding. Hopefully they can go back to Russia and model how same sex married women are (completely normal). The two women are completely in love, very beautiful and very happy and this is a very special day for them both. Congratulations!!!!!!
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