Canadian lawmakers legalize gay marriages

TORONTO – Canada’s House of Commons voted Tuesday to legalize gay marriage, passing landmark legislation that would grant all same-sex couples in Canada the same legal rights as those in traditional unions between a man and a woman.

The bill passed as expected, despite opposition from Conservatives and religious leaders. The legislation drafted by Prime Minister Paul Martin’s minority Liberal Party government also was expected to easily pass through the Senate and become federal law by the end of July.

Before the measure passed, gay marriage was legal in seven provinces.

The Netherlands and Belgium are the only other two nations that allow gay marriage nationwide.