York University Law Professors Provide Context and Analysis As Supreme Court of Canada Prepares to Hand Down Pivotal Ruling on Same-Sex Spousal Support

TORONTO, May 19, 1999 -- As Canada's Supreme Court prepares to hand down its long-awaited ruling (M. v H.) tomorrow on whether spousal support guidelines apply to gay couples, York University offers the following legal experts who can provide context and analysis on the meaning and significance of the Court's decision:

Charter / Constitutional Law Experts:

Bruce Ryder, a Professor of Law at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, teaches courses on sexuality and the law. He has conducted extensive research on same-sex spousal rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ryder can be reached at (416) 736-5548.

Patrick Monahan, director of York University's Centre for Public Law and Public Policy at York's Osgoode Hall Law School, is a leading constitutional expert who can discuss the Supreme Court's decision as it pertains to the Charter. He can be reached at (416) 736-5568.

Family Law Experts:

Shelley Gavigan, a Professor of Law at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, has written extensively in the area of same-sex spousal rights and same-sex parenting, including: Legal Forms, Family Forms, Gender Norms: What is a Spouse?; Mothers, Other Mothers and Others: The Challenges and Contradictions of Lesbian Parents; and A Parent(ly) Knot: Can Heather Have Two Mommies. She can be reached at (416) 736-5558.

Simon Fodden is Associate Dean at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School where he teaches family and poverty law. He can discuss the Supreme Court case and the changing definition of ëfamily'. He can be reached at (416) 736-5031.

Roxanne Mykitiuk, a Professor of Law at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, specializes in children and the law, bioethics and reproductive technology. She is willing to comment on M. v H. and some of the wider issues for same-sex couples in light of the forthcoming ruling. She can be reached at (416) 736-5204, or at home: (416) 413-1760.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
E-mail: sinem@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
E-mail: kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/057/99