Ban on same sex marriage to end in Scotland
The Scottish Government have announced that they will bring forward legislation to lift the ban on same-sex marriage in Scotland, in both civil and religious ceremonies.
The announcement was welcomed by the Equality Network, the LGBT equality charity campaigning for Equal Marriage in Scotland.
They say it is “a proud day for Scotland, as we look to join the front rank of progressive nations.”
Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “Today is a proud day for Scotland. The Scottish Government have shown their determination to make Scotland a more progressive country. With cross-party support for equality in the Scottish Parliament we would expect that this change can be passed next year.”
“Same-sex marriage is about equality and freedom. The freedom for couples, and religious and humanist groups that want to, to celebrate same-sex marriages. But equally, upholding the freedom of other religious groups to say no to same-sex marriages. That’s the right way for Scotland to deal with the different opinions on this.”
He added: “We welcome that religious and humanist groups that want to conduct same-sex marriages will be able to do so. We have no problem with a small amendment to the Equality Act to ensure that religious celebrants who disagree don’t have to conduct same-sex marriages. We fully expect the UK Government to cooperate to ensure that. We have always said that religious bodies and celebrants who do not want to conduct same-sex marriage should be free to opt out.”
“In the Scottish Government’s consultation, two thirds of the proper consultation responses from Scotland were in favour of same-sex marriage. Consultation is not a numbers game though, and it’s not about petitions and postcards. The Scottish Government were right to take the time to carefully consider the all the points raised by consultation responses.”
MSPs from across the political parties have welcomed the announcement.
In June the Equality Network announced that a majority of MSPs had signed its Equal Marriage Pledge, committing themselves to voting in favour of same-sex marriage. 74 MSPs have now said they will vote in favour, including the leaders of all the opposition parties. Just 9 MSPs remain opposed.
Opinion polls have shown consistent public support for same-sex marriage in Scotland. The most recent poll was conducted in mid-June by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Equality Network. It showed record support with 64% of Scots in favour of a change in the law, and just 26% opposed. Separate polls conducted over the past two years by Populus, YouGov, Angus Reid, and the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, have all shown similar levels of support.
