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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Canada are the most obvious in the Americas. LGBT Canadians have all of the same rights as non LGBT citizens, a right granted under the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Since 2005, Canada has offered civil marriage rights nationwide to same-sex couples. Canada was the third nation in the world where same-sex marriages were legally performed (commencing in 2003 in the province of Ontario), the fourth nation in the world to perform same-sex marriages nationwide, and it was the first nation in the Americas to perform such marriages nationwide.<ref>[http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20871 On views of homosexuality, U.S. differs from Canada, Britain] by Baptist Press

Homosexual rights in Canada are the most obvious in the Americas. Homosexual Canadians have all of the same rights as heterosexual citizens, a right granted under the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]]. Since 2005, Canada has offered civil marriage rights nationwide to same-sex couples. Canada was the third nation in the world where same-sex marriages were legally performed (commencing in 2003 in the province of Ontario), the fourth nation in the world to perform homosexual "marriages" nationwide, and it was the first nation in the Americas to perform such "marriages" nationwide.<ref>[http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20871 On views of homosexuality, U.S. differs from Canada, Britain] by Baptist Press

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==History==

==History==

Canada has had a historically more progressive culture than any of its neighbors, an inheritance from the English Revolution. During the 1960s with the ongoing radicalization of society, it became "cool" to promote the rights of real or perceived minorities, including the LGBT lobby. The LGBT lobby won several victories, such as the decision in 1989 that ''"Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability."'' includes homosexuals.

Canada has had a historically more progressive culture than any of its neighbors, an inheritance from the English Revolution. During the 1960s with the ongoing radicalization of society, it became "cool" to promote the rights of real or perceived minorities, including the homosexual lobby. The homosexual lobby won several victories, such as the decision in 1989 that ''"Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability."'' includes homosexuals.

==Reactions==

==Reactions==

Homosexual rights in Canada remains a source of national pride in the eastern seaboard, where 4/5 Canadians actively support it. In the relatively conservative Alberta, the victories by the LGBT lobby was condemned, as they saw it as a threat to their religion and way of life.<ref>[http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20871 On views of homosexuality, U.S. differs from Canada, Britain] by Baptist Press

Homosexual rights in Canada remains a source of national pride in the eastern seaboard, where 4/5 Canadians actively support it. In the relatively conservative province of Alberta, the victories by the homosexual lobby was condemned, as they saw it as a threat to their religion and way of life.<ref>[http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=20871 On views of homosexuality, U.S. differs from Canada, Britain] by Baptist Press

</ref> Outside of Canada, reactions have been mixed. More progressive nations and states applauded it, while others condemned it, and predicted the moral failure of Canadian society.

</ref> Outside of Canada, reactions have been mixed. More progressive nations and states applauded it, while others condemned it, and predicted the moral failure of Canadian society.

==References==

==References==