Same-Sex Marriage: An Example of Legal Evolution

Description

This Teaching Kit will help students understand that the law is constantly evolving because it reflects society. Students will learn about the evolution of the right to same-sex marriage and the role of legal institutions in establishing this right.

The students, organized in teams, will learn by analyzing historical documents that present different events relating to the evolution of the right to same-sex marriage. Students will construct a timeline based on the documents. The teacher will validate what they have learned and present the legal context of the evolution of this right.

Educational objectives

• Learn more about the evolution of the right to marriage of LGBTQ+ couples.
• Understand that the law is constantly evolving because it reflects society.
• Become familiar with the Canadian and Quebec judicial systems.
• Understand the concept of the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments.

Subjects and subject-specific competencies

Culture and Citizenship in Québec

Secondary IV

Cultural reality: Justice and the law – Legal and judicial institutions

Compulsory concepts : Fundamental rights recognized by the charters, the Supreme Court

Secondary V

Cultural realities : Search for meaning and world views – Social and cultural integration

Compulsory concepts : Choices related to adulthood, Parenthood, Individual and collective responsibilities related to sexuality.

Cultural reality: Social groups and power relations – Social inequalities

Compulsory concepts : Sexism and other inequalities related to gender and sexuality

• Competency 1: Studies cultural realities:
  • Analyzes social relations:
    • Characterizes relations between individuals, groups and institutions.
    • Situates these relations in time and space.

History of Quebec and Canada

Secondary IV

Themes: Societal choices in contemporary Quebec (civil society)

• Competency 2: Interpreting a social phenomenon
  • Analyzes social phenomenon :
    • Identify changes and continuities
    • Determine causes and consequences

Suggested duration

3 or 4 periods

Broad areas of learning

• Citizenship and Community Life: Promotion of the rules of social conduct and democratic institutions

Cross-curricular competencies

• Using information : Putting the information to use
• Communication appropriately

Related content

• Laws of Quebec and Canada

• The Human Rights Tribunal

• The Quebec Judicial System

• Laws of Quebec and Canada

• The Supreme Court of Canada

• Éducaloi LGBTQ+