Scotland to introduce gay marriage

[LaughOutLoud]

Scotland could become the first part of the UK to introduce gay marriage after the SNP government announced plans to make the change.

Ministers confirmed they would bring forward a bill on the issue, indicating the earliest ceremonies could take place by the start of 2015.

Political leaders, equality organisations and some faith groups welcomed introducing same-sex marriage.

But it was strongly opposed by the Catholic Church and Church of Scotland.

The announcement was made in the wake of a government consultation which produced a record 77,508 responses.

Same-sex couples in Scotland currently have the option to enter into civil partnerships and the Holyrood government has insisted no part of the religious community would be forced to hold same-sex weddings in churches.

The Scottish government said;

• it would work with UK ministers to amend equality laws to protect celebrants from legal or disciplinary action if they refuse to take part or speak out against same-sex ceremonies.
• a bill would be brought forward to the Scottish Parliament later this year to bring in the change

Source

 

[unloadonme]

The Roman Catholic church will fight a rear guard action. The incoming Archbishop of Glasgow has been accused of homophobic remarks over the death of an MP.

Bishop blames MPs death on homosexuality - Telegraph

And he's not the only one. The Church of England's Archbishop of York has been accused of homophobia over comments about same sex marriage.

BBC News - Archbishop urges state not to 'dictate' over marriage

It's a pity we can't start by outlawing religion. Then legalisation of gay marriage would be child's play.

 

[LaughOutLoud]

The Roman Catholic church will fight a rear guard action.

It's a pity we can't start by outlawing religion. Then legalisation of gay marriage would be child's play.

Never before has there been a truer word spoken.

 

[argomac]

Proud (and a bit smug) to be Scottish. Well, more than usual!

 

[Castix]

Great that the government is overuling these assholes that go against it! Do these people not understand that gay marriage will happen and that's just fact. Could they honestly see themselves fighting the same battle a 100 years from now? Nope! They better just give in now and save time, money and energy because it's going to happen.
Just like 100 years ago people didn't believe that homosexuality would be decriminalised ever and now look at us

I hope that Ireland gets its shit together and starts doing the same thing!

 

[LaughOutLoud]

Tbh, the last few posts in this thread have made me feel a wee bit smug about being Scottish - it truly does feel like we're leading the way and have set the bar for other countries (certainly the rest of the UK) to follow suit.

Let's just hope they do.

 

[cgymike]

I wonder if it is comes to pass will the marriage be valid throughout the UK?

 

[unloadonme]

Scotland, like the rest of the UK, already has Civil Partnerships which is a form of gay marriage without using the m-word. Whilst there are one of two minor differences, I've yet to be convinced that we don't have gay marriage in the UK already in all but name.

 

[LaughOutLoud]

It may just be a name for it, but that name is one of the final barriers of discrimination against gays to be torn down.

I think it's a huge success for gay rights.

 

[ChickenGuy]

The incoming Archbishop of Glasgow has been accused of homophobic remarks over the death of an MP.

Bishop blames MPs death on homosexuality - Telegraph

I never even knew David Cairns was gay. But you just KNOW that what REALLY grates the Archbishop was that this man was gay AND Catholic. He can't stand it and so he must make insinuations.

The very positive thing in recent years about gay politicians in the U.K. is that it's stopped being an issue and is just accepted. People are allowed to get on with their life without it mattering. It would NEVER happen in the United States.

P.S....

I can only imagine how up in arms the 'wee free' Presbyterians will be over this in my own little Highland hometown.

 

[lambdaboy]

One thing different in the UK with civil partership's, is that if one parter dies the other partner gets benefits that U.S. gays do not get. That is everything a woman or man gets when there married partner gays get here. In states you can not have joint income tax etc if gay.