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Content about Scottish government

March 29, 2013
Rights groups to challenge Northern Ireland's gay marriage ban

The Rainbow Project and Amnesty International warn Northern Ireland’s government that it will face court action if it continues to ban same-sex marriage

Amnesty International in partnership with a local LGBT group warned that Northern Ireland's power-sharing government will soon face a human rights legal case over its continual refusal to legalize marriage equality.

In October 2012 members of Northern Ireland's Stormont assembly rejected a motion by the Greens and Sinn Féin to legalize marriage equality.

March 20, 2013
Hours left to save gay marriage in Scotland

Public consultation on equal marriage bill in Scotland will end today and anti-gay campaigners are trying to include opt-outs, education bans and restrictions on teachers

LGBT people and their allies in Scotland have less than five hours to ensure a public consultation on gay marriage goes their way.

Anti-gay campaigners are trying to derail the Scottish Parliament’s marriage equality bill – calling for limitations so officials can refuse to wed lesbian and gay couples and teachers can tell their pupils that gay marriage is wrong.

And the public consultation on the bill will close at 5pm local time this evening (20 March).

March 10, 2013
Anti-gay ban may be added to Scotland's gay marriage bill, warn campaigners

Gay rights campaigners warn that opponents of marriage equality are attempting to reintroduced previously repealed ban against 'promotion of homosexuality in Scots schools

Equality campaigners in Scotland warned that an anti-gay educational ban repealed in 2000 (called Section 28) could be introduced by 'stealth' as an add on to Scotland's gay marriage bill.

March 6, 2013
Scots watchdog upholds ruling against anti-gay Catholic adoption agency

Scotland’s Charity Regulator has upheld is ruling against a Catholic adoption agency and told if it doesn't lift its ban on applications from gay couples it will lose its charitable status

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has upheld its previous ruling that warned a Catholic adoption agency to stop discriminating against gay people, by excluding them from becoming adopters, or lose its charitable status.

The ruling followed a complaint from the National Secular Society against St Margaret's Children and Family Care Society in Glasgow.

February 27, 2013
Deputy First Minister told she will lose seat over gay marriage support

Having said gay marriage is 'right thing to do', Nicola Sturgeon is told supporting it may be 'a vote loser'

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government should legalize gay marriage, but is now being told she would 'lose more than she would gain'.

Adil Bhatti, former SNP national council member, said: 'The gay community don't have that many votes compared to those that you would lose from the religious groups like the Muslims and the Catholics.

February 23, 2013
Cardinal Keith O’Brien says priests should be allowed to marry but not gays

Leader of UK's Roman Catholic Church suggested that priests should be given the choice to get married but not gays

The UK’s most senior Catholic cleric said that male priests should be able to marry women, while bitterly opposing gay marriage.

During an interview with BBC Scotland, Cardinal Keith O’Brien stated that Jesus did not say that clergy should remain celibate.

February 3, 2013
Scots equality charity warns against anti-gay scare tactics

Anti-gay marriage campaign tactics have been slammed as scaremongering by Scotland's equality campaigners

Scotland for Marriage, an anti-gay marriage campaign group has warned that the same-sex marriage bill will compromise ‘civil liberty’, that anyone opposing it could be ‘sacked’, refused as foster parents, and discriminated in school.

The stepping up of the anti-gay marriage campaign comes as the Scottish Government launched a consultation on its draft legislation to legalise same-sex marriage in December.

Equality campaigners have slammed today (3 Feburary) the group for misleading information and anti-gay scare tactics.

January 31, 2013
Scottish campaigner: gay marriage will force children into 'homosexual school lessons'

Scotland anti-gay marriage campaigner warns marriage equality may force school children into ‘homosexual lessons’ and damage freedom of speech

Rosemary Cameron, a campaigner against marriage equality said that people who object to gay marriage risk being discriminated against if new legislation goes ahead.

Speaking today (31 January) to the daily Dunfermline Press Cameron said she felt that ‘pro-gay people are trying to impose their views’ on her.

January 7, 2013
Glasgow Archbishop says gay marriage is 'morally defective'

Glasgow's Catholic Emeritus Archibishop slams Scottish government for planning to legalize gay marriage which he says is 'morally defective'

One of the country's top Catholic clerics has claimed same-sex relationships are ‘morally defective.’

Mario Conti, Archibishop Emeritus of Glasgow also attacked the Scottish Government for the ‘profoundly unwise’ decision to ‘equate homosexual unions with heterosexual marriage’ by legalising marriage equality.

December 25, 2012
Celebrities back LGF gay marriage campaign

80s singing star Boy George and Paralympian Claire Harvey among those to back Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s Love Equal Marriage campaign

Celebrities have thrown their weight behind a push to get marriage equality out of the debating chamber and onto the statute books in Britain.

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF), north-west England’s leading LGBT organization, is leading the Love Equal Marriage campaign.

The UK government has brought forward proposals for full marriage equality for England and Wales and the Scottish government is also taking action with both bills set to be debated in 2013.

December 17, 2012
2012: A year gay Scotland can be proud of

Same-sex marriage equality has dominated the gay year in Scotland and seen a youthful and dynamic campaign emerge

There’s no doubt 2012 has been a momentous and emotional year for LGBT Scots, as well as an incredibly busy one.

It started off with some sad news for LGBT campaigners not just in Scotland, but across Europe. The death of the former Labour Member of the European Parliament Janey Buchan was a huge loss. Although I never had the chance to meet Janey, her reputation was well known in Scotland as someone who believed strongly in equality for LGBT people the world over.

December 13, 2012
Scotland unveils draft gay marriage bill

Scotland makes history by becoming the first part of the United Kingdom to publish legislation to allow same-sex marriage

The Scottish government launched the ‘Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill’, which will introduce marriage equality, yesterday (12 December) alongside a 14-week consultation on its implementation.

The draft legislation will allow same-sex marriage in Scotland and give all religious and belief bodies (for example Humanist) the right to conduct same-sex marriages, if they wish to do so.

The bill will also remove the requirement on a married or civil partnered transgender person to divorce before obtaining full Gender Recognition.

November 1, 2012
Health survey finds lesbian and gay Scots face drink problems

Analysis of official Scottish health survey findings shows lesbians and gays drink at hazardous or harmful levels, as well as possibly facing a problem with smoking  

Scotland’s chief statistician today announced the publication of a Scottish Health Survey topic report on 'equality groups'.

The report found that respondents who identify as lesbian and gay drank and smoke more than the average general population.

Equality campaigners called upon the Scottish government to expand future research and better address health needs of the LGBT community in the country.

September 23, 2012
Husband and wife to be banned by gay marriage warns Free Church of Scotland

Terms like ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ will be obsolete if the Scottish government goes ahead with introducing same-sex marriage, warns the Free Church of Scotland 

The Free Church of Scotland claimed that terms such as ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ could vanish from official paperwork if the Scottish Government legalise same-sex marriage.

In addition the church said its ‘unconvinced’ by the safeguards being proposed by the government to people and institutions who object to gay marriage.

September 19, 2012
Over 30,000 sign Scottish anti-gay marriage online petition

An online petition opposing plans to legislate marriage equality attracted over 30,000 signatures. The petition has been widely criticised as misleading, scaremongering and out of touch with a majority of Scots opinion

An online petition had managed to attracted over 30,000 signatories against Scotland's proposed marriage equality bill.

The Scottish Government announced in July that it proposes bringing in legislation for marriage equality, which will allow same-sex couples to the right wed as their straight counterparts.

Scottish Ministers declared that it is the ‘right thing to do’ in a move that received widespread support from the public, equality, human rights and faith campaigners.

September 4, 2012
Scottish plan same-sex marriage bill in next 12 months

The Scottish parliament is likely to debate gay marriage equality within the next parliamentary session, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced

The Scottish government is due to debate same-sex marriage equality within their 2012 to 2013 session, it has been announced.

It will be part of a package of 15 bills brought forward to the Holyrood chamber in Edinburgh over the next 12 months.

First Minister Alex Salmond has just announced details of his legislative program for the next year and paved the way for a referendum in 2014 on Scottish independence from Britain.

Same-sex marriage equality will also be brought forward in a Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.

August 26, 2012
Scotland's Catholic Church steps up campaign in 'war' against gay marriage

Catholic priests are reading out a letter condemning marriage equality and attacking Scotland's government

Catholic priests will be reading out a letter attacking government plans to legalize gay marriage today (26 August).

Firing off their major weapon in its ‘war’ against marriage equality, the Catholic Church has produced the letter to be read out in each of Scotland’s parishes in celebration of ‘National Marriage Sunday’.

The letter states their ‘deep disappointment that the Scottish Government has decided to redefine marriage and legislate for same sex marriage.’

August 19, 2012
Catholic cardinal snubs talks with Scottish government due to gay marriage

Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, is suspending direct talks with the Scottish government

Britain's most senior Catholic, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, is now refusing to talk to Scottish ministers in protest about their plans for gay marriage equality.

According to the BBC, the cardinal made this decision following the Scottish government support for the introduction of same-sex marriage and ahead of the resumption of parliamentary session in September.

July 25, 2012
New Archbishop of Glasgow links MP's death to being gay

The new Archbishop elect of Glasgow suggests the premature death of a Labour Member of Parliament was due to his sexuality

The new Archbishop-elect of Glasgow Philip Tartaglia, an outspoken critic of marriage equality, has linked a gay Catholic Member of Parliament's early death to being gay.

Tartaglia previously attacked the Scottish government’s and Westminster proposals to legalise gay marriage, but now it's emerged he linked the Labour MP’s death to his sexuality.

David Cairns MP, a former Catholic priest and member of the Scottish Labour Party, died in May 2010 from acute pancreatitis at the age of 44.

July 25, 2012
Scotland confirms it will legalize gay marriage

Scotland will be first part of UK to legalize same-sex marriage. UPDATE: Full reactions from LGBT campaigners, faith leaders and politicians

Scotland has confirmed it will legalize gay marriage, becoming the first part of the UK to do so.

A bill on the issue will be brought forward in the country's parliament this September.

Today’s decision (25 July) comes after cabinet members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) government met earlier this month to discuss the measures.

Despite widespread support for a change in the law, there has been fierce opposition from some religious leaders and clerics.

July 20, 2012
Scot gay marriage wars: The Cardinal strikes back

Cardinal Keith O'Brien strikes back in his 'war' on same-sex marriage, slamming the Scottish government's refusal to hold a referendum on the issue

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland and the most senior Catholic in the UK, Cardinal Keith O’Brien has launched a new attack in his 'war' on same-sex marriage.

This time he's aiming at the Scottish government's rejection of his demand to hold a referendum on marriage equality.

July 20, 2012
Stay calm: Gay marriage will come to Scotland

Don’t let partisan political squabbles get in the way of the bigger picture – delivering same-sex marriage equality, says Stewart McDonald

Keep calm and carry on: Equal marriage will happen in Scotland – of that I am confident. Like many people across Scotland and on the twitter-sphere I was disappointed that The Scottish government wasn’t able to make an announcement on Tuesday (17 July) that it would be pressing ahead with a same-sex marriage bill. However it’s important that we look at the bigger picture here and remember who the real enemy is.

July 20, 2012
Stay calm: Gay marriage will come to Scotland

Don’t let partisan political squabbles get in the way of the bigger picture – delivering same-sex marriage equality, says Stewart McDonald

Keep calm and carry on: Equal marriage will happen in Scotland – of that I am confident. Like many people across Scotland and on the twitter-sphere I was disappointed that The Scottish government wasn’t able to make an announcement on Tuesday (17 July) that it would be pressing ahead with a same-sex marriage bill. However it’s important that we look at the bigger picture here and remember who the real enemy is.

July 19, 2012
Leaked email on Scots gay marriage delay 'misread'

Email which BBC claims suggests Scotland is waiting for a change in UK law before making a decision on gay marriage has been 'misinterpreted'

An email which the BBC says suggests the Scottish government may wait for a change in UK law before making a decision on gay marriage has been ‘misinterpreted’, an LGBT rights group claims.

July 18, 2012
Scotland First Minister Salmond 'committed' to gay marriage

Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland affirms his support of same-sex marriage and outlines a road map

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has today (18 July) confirmed he personally backs same-sex marriage.

He made his comment during a press briefing at Bute House, Edinburgh, his official residence.

He told Alan Roden, political editor of the Daily Mail Scotland, that he affirms his previous statement of support of support to gay marriage saying: ‘I haven’t changed my mind.’