Just as it was nationally, local reaction to Canada’s new policy to recognize marriages between homosexuals elicited mixed emotions in Lawrence.

Sarah Burris, outreach chair for Queers and Allies at Kansas University, said she thought the ruling was a step toward ending discrimination.

“Fundamentally, it’s exactly like limiting interracial couples,” she said.

While she believes Canada’s policy will not have an immediate effect on the United States, she believes that same-sex marriage here will be a reality within her lifetime. She said reversing the ban would affirm America’s commitment to freedom.

“For a country that was founded on the principle of freedom to pursue happiness, such laws that limit civil rights are against what our country stands for,” she said.

The Rev. Charles Polifka of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church said he doubted same-sex marriages would be legal in the United States anytime soon — and even if they were, the Catholic Church still would not recognize such marriages.

“Even though it may be permitted, they would not be allowed to be married in the Catholic Church,” he said.

He said the church would continue to base its definition of marriage on natural law and Scripture, restricting it to a man and a woman. He said while it was possible for two people of the same sex to be in a committed relationship, the Church would not define it as a marriage.

¢Canada policy fuels gay marriage debate in U.S.