Russian Women Tie The Knot In Toronto
Posted October 23, 2009 7:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Call it From Russia in Love – not a 007 flick, but a romance between two women denied the right to marry in their homeland.
Irina Fedotova-Fet, 30, and Irina Shipitko, 32, travelled halfway around the world to say “I do” – which they did on Friday, right here in Toronto where same-sex marriage is legal.
“Unfortunately our country now is not ready to officiate our wedding. Nevertheless our marriage will be here in Canada. We will have our family. We will have our marriage,” said Fedotova-Fet.
Gays and lesbians are still discriminated against in Russia, while Canada is one of only three countries that allows marriage between same-sex couples.
“They’re so happy you can feel their happiness. And what a great statement from our city that we can lead the world in human rights and that people will come to Toronto to seek equal treatment and respect and joy and love,” noted Mayor David Miller.
The couple’s fight to get married doesn’t end here. After exchanging vows in Toronto, they will take their wedding license and fight for equal rights back to Russia.
