Canada's parliament has approved legislation to allow same sex marriages despite fierce opposition from conservative politicians and religious groups.
Legislators last night voted by 158-133 to support the bill, which makes Canada only the third country in the world after Belgium and the Netherlands to permit gay marriages.
Most Canadian provinces already allow same-sex marriages, and the country has become a popular destination for gay and lesbian couples from nations where such unions are banned.
The minority Liberal government said it had to draw up the legislation after courts in eight of the country's ten provinces ruled that a ban same-sex marriages was unconstitutional because it violated Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Canada's relaxed stance on gay marriage, and on other social issues, stands in contrast to that of the neighbouring United States, where President Bush wants Congress to back a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages.
"We are a nation of minorities and in a nation of minorities, it is important that you don't cherry pick rights. A right is a right and that is what this vote tonight is all about," Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said shortly before the vote.
Church groups and the main opposition Conservative Party say the law is an attack on organised religion, and some have suggested that it could lead to the legalisation of polygamy.
"[This] is effectively exposing people of faith to persecution and prosecution ... I want to make it very clear today that this is the beginning of the formal fight against the definition of marriage," said Charles McVety, president of the Canada Family Action Coalition.
The legislation grants gays and lesbians the right to full civil marriages, but makes clear that religious officials would not be obliged to marry same-sex couples.