Marriages of Foreign Gays in Canada Are Invalid; Affects Gays Who Could Not Marry in Homeland

The Washington Times website reports today (January 14, 2012) that the Canadian government is abruptly arguing that the same-sex marriages of many foreigners who wed in Canada are not valid -- a move that stunned the gay community and could affect thousands of couples.

In 2005, Canada became one of the first nations in the world to formally legalize gay marriages. Now, Canada says many -- if not all -- the unions involving foreign residents are invalid.

Ottawa made the argument in a court case where two lesbians -- one from England and the other from Florida -- sought a divorce after their 2005 Canadian marriage.

Ottawa says the 2005 marriage in the latest case "was not legally valid under Canadian law" because the women could not have lawfully wed in England or Florida.