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H. Clare Callow

Expert Guru
H. Clare Callow is an Australian working internationally in journalism, business writing and academia.

Clare spent nearly ten years working in the media and publishing industry, including two as editor of the gloss magazine 'Ink', before encountering one evil manager too many and branching out in her own freelance business.

Since then, Clare has been able to pursue her passion for new subjects while helping clients all over the world.

Of her varied expertise, Clare says: "Over the years, I have gained a vast pool of experience that has to be tried to be believed. Ask me about lamb feeding, the proper way to iron a handkerchief, Communism (history of), family law, Medieval English and French literature, the origin of basketball, cows, trucks... Just too many weird things.

I love researching new topics and writing about them in a way that is easy to understand.

So when I promptly say, 'Yes, I know that topic,' to your request, I do.

I do not know anything about gardening."

Clare holds a First Class Honours degree in Communication/Journalism, two diplomas (professional writing and editing and performing arts) and various qualifications in business and education.




10 Tips from H. Clare Callow

How to Have A Canada Gay Wedding At Home

It is not always financially possible for families to join a couple for a wedding overseas, and as so few countries will perform a gay wedding, gay couples face a choice between a family-less ceremony or huge costs.
Although families may not be able to be present at a foreign wedding ceremony, the formal signing of the marriage document is only one part of the wedding tradition, and not the oldest part by far. The tradition of a public wedding evolved so that the individuals getting married could be presented to their community as a united entity. Couples facing travelling overseas for a gay wedding should consider dividing the wedding in half, treating the formalities as a registration and the homecoming celebraton as the emotional half of their wedding.
Using video footage of the formal ceremony and saving sections of the ceremony - such as the exchange of vows or gay wedding rings - for home is another way to involve family in the couple's Canada gay wedding.

Alternatives for Gay Engagement Rings

An engagement ring, with large stone setting or other ornament, is not always appropriate as a gay engagement ring. For those whose profession involves heavy physical work, an engagement ring poses a danger, while sometimes the very public declaration of a gay engagement ring is not possible.
Any piece of quality gay jewelry can stand in place of a gay engagement ring. Consider the option of a gay necklace, armband, anklet or even specially designed gay piercing as a symbol that you and your partner will soon be exchanging gay wedding rings.

Behind the Arguments Against Gay Marriage

There are many points brought up in arguments against gay marriage. Some bring up the idea that marriage was created for the propagation of children, that the tradition of marriage doesn't apply to gay people, that it is a heterosexual institution.
Lying behind all of these arguments is the basic idea that marriage is the foundation of the traditional family, consisting of a mother, a father and children. It is feared that gay marriage will destroy this structure. These arguments pointedly ignore the fact that the structure of the family has been steadily changing since the mid-50s, as single-parent and diverse families grow in numbers in every country.

Marriage Ban A Form of Legal Discrimination

Preventing gay couples from marrying is a form of social discrimination, just as the segregation of African-American people in buses was a form. Social discrimination is a difficult thing to prove legally, but the gay marriage issue is also about legal discrimination.
Marriage provides couples with tax breaks, inheritance entitlements and, perhaps most importantly, next-of-kin rights. Preventing gay people from accessing these legal rights is as tangible a discrimination as preventing women from voting. For couples that still frequently have to face rejection from families because of their sexuality, the granting of next-of-kin rights to partners is crucial in the event of illness or injury.

Gay Adoption World-wide

Adoption by same-sex couples is not legal in most countries, even those who do offer gay marriage will not necessarily allow gay adoption. Couples should not be completely discouraged, however - as many gay rights support groups note, gay adoption has occurred for decades through single-parent adoption laws.
Couples looking into adoption in a country that does not allow gay adoption should carefully read all adoption legislation for loopholes. Use of such loopholes has resulted in the establishment of adoption laws in several countries as the law is tested.
Couples should always be careful to consult a lawyer before carrying out any plans, in order to ensure the legality of their adoption.

Gay Divorce in Canada

Although gay marriage was legalized in Canada in select areas from 2003, gay divorce was not legalized until 2004.

The San Francisco Gay Marriage Month

In 2004, for one short month, the city of San Francisco approved almost 4000 gay marriages. The city defied state laws in issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples, only 80 of which were not filled within the month.
In the same time period, only just over 100 opposite-sex marriages were performed in the city's jurisdiction.

The Difference Between Defining Marriage and Banning Gay Marriage

Many US states have passed legislation preventing gay marriages performed in Massachusetts from being recognized in their state. However, 19 states specifically banned gay marriage through a constitutional amendment.
The difference between the two approaches has significance mainly in the effort it will take to legalize gay marriage. Although the 43 states defining marriage as 'between one man and one woman' prevent gay couples from approaching the state for recognition, the removal of that definition (which can be achieved through arguments on discrimination) would allow gay marriage.
States that define gay marriage as unconstitutional, however, have placed a more solid barrier between gay couples and the law.
This difference also has two effects: preventing recognition of gay marriage within the state and preventing gay marriage within America altogether. As a requirement of the gay marriage legislation in Massachusetts is that the couple's home state not ban gay marriage, those who live in the 19 states banning it cannot get married in America at all.

Church Ceremonies for Gay Weddings

Although many religions have expressed disapproval of gay marriage, there are sections of most religions that have taken a stand in supporting gay marriage through providing gay wedding ceremonies.
Couples should ask at their local church for information on whether they can have their union blessed. The Metropolitain Community Church, Baptist and Anglican churches have a general approval of gay marriage in most Western countries. Some Jewish Rabbis will also bless same-sex unions.

Gay Marriage - A Boost for Marriage Rates

One of the frequently noted points in the gay marriage debate is the argument that gay marriage will destroy mainstream marriage. For those involved in the debate who have a logical turn of mind, this point brings a smile to the face.
Marriage rates have been on the decline world wide since 1991, in some countries down over 20%. Gay marriage, however, takes a steep rise wherever it is legalized - in San Francisco, almost 4000 couples were married in just one month when the city issued licences to same-sex couples.
The comparison of statistics shows that gay marriage boosts marriage rates, rather than doing the idea of marriage any damage.