Documentary honours 20 years of same-sex marriage in Ontario

A recently-released documentary honours the 20th anniversary of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Ontario.

The documentary, ‘When You Find The One’, features interviews with some of the first Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ couples to tie the knot after the legalization of same-sex marriage in the province in 2003.

Stella Racca, the Toronto-based queer filmmaker who crafted the documentary, said she wanted to share the love stories of same-sex married couples and was motivated by a desire to learn more about queer history.

“I’ve never had such a life changing experience,” Racca said.

In June 2003, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling to legally allow same-sex marriages. The next day, former Ontario attorney general Norm Sterling announced the province would obey the law and register same-sex marriages. 

The federal government later passed legislation in 2005 that legalized same-sex marriage across the country.

Barb McCutcheon, the film’s producer, said one of her primary motivations was to reassure people that there is nothing to fear about being with the one you love. 

“We wanted to have the commitment of showing it to the world that we are married,” McCutcheon said. 

Ron Demers says he gave an interview for the film because he realized he was part of history. 

“I used to go around and say, ‘I’m married. Never thought that would happen,'” said Demers. 

“Our marriage licences still had a bride and groom because city hall wasn’t ready for us.”

The documentary can be watched for free on YouTube.