"Starting in 1999, the pension laws have applied to same-sex couples, and then there was the legalization of gay marriage. As a result, the number of homoparental families increases every year." (Shutterstock.com)

MONTREAL – Six years after gay marriage was legalized in Quebec, there is a marked increase in the number of same-sex couples who have decided to have children. In Quebec, some 1400 children have two dads or two moms.

According to data obtained from the Régie des rentes du Québec (RRQ), at the end of 2008 there were 1386 children living in “homoprental” families, a number that has been increasing steadily since 2001. Back then, only 201 children were living with a same-sex couple as their parents.

Of that number, nearly 80% of the 950 known homoparental families in 2008 were composed of two moms, and just under 200 were composed of two dads.

According to the governmental agency, this increase is directly ascribable to the equal rights same-sex couples have gained in the past ten or so years.

“It follows the legislation,” commented the RRQ spokesperson, Herman Huot. “Starting in 1999, the pension laws have applied to same-sex couples, and then there was the legalization of gay marriage. As a result, the number of homoparental families increases every year.”

Read more at www.lifewise.canoe.ca

MONTREAL – Six years after gay marriage was legalized in Quebec, there is a marked increase in the number of same-sex couples who have decided to have children. In Quebec, some 1400 children have two dads or two moms. According to data obtained from the Régie des rentes du Québec (RRQ), at the end of [...]

Immigration okayed if gay couple can pay their own drug bills.

An American couple has won a federal court case that could change the way Canada treats would-be immigrants who are HIV-positive.

Justice Sean Harrington’s December 31 decision could be appealed before the end of January, but if it stands, it will make it easier for applicants who can afford to cover their own prescription costs to immigrate.

Canada does not have a blanket ban on HIV-positive immigrants, but most applicants are rejected by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on the grounds that they would impose “excessive demand” on health or social services. This is an issue for people with any number of health conditions, but it is a major concern for applicants with HIV.

The case in question concerns Ricardo Companioni, an American programmer who was initially approved to immigrate as a skilled worker. He and his partner are both HIV-positive, and while they are expected to remain healthy for at least the next 10 years, the period that CIC considers, their drugs cost a combined $33,500 every year.

Read more at www.xtra.ca

Immigration okayed if gay couple can pay their own drug bills. An American couple has won a federal court case that could change the way Canada treats would-be immigrants who are HIV-positive. Justice Sean Harrington’s December 31 decision could be appealed before the end of January, but if it stands, it will make it easier [...]