Marriage Bill Published in Scotland

Jim Burroway

June 27th, 2013

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill (PDF: 1.3MB/46 pages) has been published, marking its first step in the long journey toward becoming law.

Scotland’s Health Secretary Alex Neil said the publication of the same-sex marriage legislation marked a “historic moment for Scotland and for equal rights in our country”.

The Scottish government proposals also aim to protect the rights of religious celebrants and groups who are opposed to allowing gay couples to wed.

Mr Neil told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “We are striving to create a Scotland that is fairer and more tolerant, where everyone is treated equally. That is why we believe that same sex couples should be allowed to marry.

Scottish supporters are in talks with UK government officials seeking an an amendment to the UK bill to to protect individual members of clergy who may not want to conduct same-sex ceremonies even if their denomination supports them. The UK bill has just completed its committee stage in the House of Lords and will reach Report stage in July.

Mark Daniel Cross

June 27th, 2013

Some of my ancestors (McKenzie) came to North America from Scotland. It’s great to read of the spread of equality and justice in one of my ancestral homelands!

Timothy Kincaid

June 27th, 2013

Mark, it is nice. The Kincaids hail from Scotland as well.

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