Paying the wedding bills

ENOR

Fans of courtroom drama will have been closely following the trials and tribulations of one of Montreal’s most prominent gay couples, Michael Hendricks and René Leboeuf. Their challenge to Quebec laws regarding same-sex marriage made national headlines late last year.

The Quebec government has proposed a civil union, a parallel legal definition of marriage for same-sex partners, as a solution. Hendricks and Leboeuf are appealing that decision, saying they want basic equality, pure and simple.

But the fight for equality has come with a price tag, and a hefty one in this case. Hendricks and Leboeuf have already accrued some $25,000 in legal debt, putting a second mortgage on their home to pay the bills.

If you’re interested in contributing, a fundraising dinner in honour of these two civil-rights advocates is taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at Sky (1474 Ste-Catherine E.) with cocktails served at

6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. In true bipartisan spirit, Bloc MP Réal Ménard and Liberal MP Natalie Rochfort will be serving the meal. Tickets are a mere $15 and are available at Sky, Androgyne, Priape and CCGLM. Info: 522-9851. :

—Matthew Hays