25 July 2012
Last updated at 13:40 GMT
The Scottish government decision came after a consultation on gay marriage
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 the move.
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.
Scotland's deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said:
"We are committed to a Scotland that is fair and equal and that is why
we intend to proceed with plans to allow same-sex marriage and religious
ceremonies for civil partnerships - we believe that this is the right
thing to do.
Continue reading the main story
Analysis
Glenn Campbell
Political correspondent, BBC Scotland
Same sex marriages will not be conducted in Scotland before 2015.
Scotland's deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has
confirmed that the start of that year is the earliest new legislation
would take effect.
That could bring the Scottish government's timetable into line with UK government plans to change the law in England and Wales.
Ms Sturgeon said it was "entirely feasible and entirely
conceivable" that legislation would be going through the Scottish and UK
parliaments at roughly the same time.
The UK government's consultation on allowing civil marriages for gay and lesbian couples closed in June 2012.
The coalition is analysing the results before publishing its
formal response but Prime Minster, David Cameron, has promised
legislation before the next election.
The Scottish government's plans go further. It wants to allow
both civil and religious ceremonies, with opt-outs for religious
organisations that do not support same sex marriage.
Ms Sturgeon said changes to the UK Equality Act are needed for Scottish legislation to be effective.
The Home Office said: "If changes are needed, they will be made."
It may be the ministry regards passage of its own legislation on same sex marriage as the most convenient way to do this.
If reform happens in Scotland at the same time as in England
and Wales, it will allow the Scottish and UK governments to lean on each
other in responding to criticism.
There are no plans to allow same sex couple to marry in Northern Ireland.
She went on: "The Scottish
government has already made clear that no religious body will be
compelled to conduct same-sex marriages and we reiterate that today.
Such protection is provided for under existing equality laws.
"However, our view is that to give certainty on protection
for individual celebrants taking a different view from a religious body
that does agree to conduct same-sex marriages, an amendment will be
required to the UK Equality Act."
The Scottish government said it was now going ahead with
another consultation to consider what extra measures are needed to
guarantee freedom of speech, including the protection of religious
beliefs of teachers and parents in schools.
Ministers said the Scottish Catholic Education Service would
continue to decide on the faith content of the curriculum in Catholic
denominational schools.
Welcoming the government's approach, Tom French, policy
co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said: "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."
The Church of Scotland, which will report on its own investigation of
the issue in May 2013, expressed concern the government was rushing
ahead with its plans.
The Rev Alan Hamilton, convener of the Church of Scotland
legal questions committee, said: "We are acutely aware that opinions
differ among our own members and that many people are anxious and hurt
in the current situation.
"We believe homophobia to be sinful and we reaffirm our
strong pastoral commitment to all people in Scotland, regardless of
sexual orientation or beliefs."
He added: "We are concerned the government will legislate
without being able to effectively protect religious bodies or their
ministers whose beliefs prevent them from celebrating civil-partnerships
or same-sex marriages."
Continue reading the main story
Gay marriage consultation
- The Scottish government held a public consultation into the issue of same-sex marriage.
- It had the biggest response of any Scottish government consultation.
- There were 77,508 responses in total, with 14,779 from outside Scotland.
- Some 64% of those who responded [including postcard and petition responses] said they were against same-sex marriage.
- Excluding postcard and petition responses to the consultation
from within Scotland the outcome shows 65% were in favour and 35%
against.
A spokesman for the Catholic
Church in Scotland said: "The Scottish government is embarking on a
dangerous social experiment on a massive scale.
"We strongly suspect that time will show the Church to have
been completely correct in explaining that same-sex sexual relationships
are detrimental to any love expressed within profound friendships."
Civil partnerships in Scotland offer the same legal treatment as marriage, but are still seen as distinct from marriage.
The UK government, which is consulting on changing the status
of civil ceremonies to allow gay and lesbian couples in England and
Wales to get married, wants to make the change by 2015.
Scotl
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