Reverend Cheri DiNovo photographed in 2001. (Lucas Oleniuk/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

A reverend has reflected on being the first woman to perform a legally registered same-sex marriage in Canada, 25 years ago. 

In 2001, Toronto reverend Cheri DiNovo presided over the union of Paula Barrero and Blanca Mejias, who had emigrated from South America. 

On Wednesday (14 January), DiNovo took to social media to share that this year marks 25 years since the historic union, which took place four years before it was legalised in Canada. 

She wrote: “This is the year folks – 25 years since the first legalised same-sex marriage was performed by a woman of two women of colour. So honoured to have performed it even though the Government threatened to take away my license.”  

The couple were married at the Howard Park Church, now called Roncesvalles United Church, in Toronto. 

In 2003, Ontario and British Columbia became the first two provinces to legalise same-sex marriage. On 20 July 2005,  the Federal Civil Marriage Act came into force, making same-sex marriage legal across Canada. 

Following the union, DiNovo described the event, saying, “two queer women of colour, Paula Barrero and Blanca Mejias, approached us asking to be married, and our congregation didn’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be. They were in love.”

But in response to the wedding the Ontario government called for the United Church to revoke DiNovo’s license. The case went all the way to the Ontario Superior Court, which ruled in favour of the couple and DiNovo, allowing Barrero and Mjias to remain married.

The queer activist was ordained in the United Church and has made it her life’s mission to champion queer issues, including the banning of conversion therapy and LGBTQ parent equality. 

During her time (2006 to 2017) as a member of provincial parliament, DiNovo helped to pass the highest number of pro-2SLGBTQ+ bills int he province’s history. 

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

Please login or register to comment on this story.