Fair solution

Published on 22/09/2012 00:00

I WAS delighted to read Rev John Shone’s letter (20 September) arguing that the marriage equality debate may be resolved by all couples having a civil partnership or marriage conducted by a registrar, followed, if they wished, by a religious or secular celebration to suit their taste.

It was particularly reassuring to hear such fair-mindedness from a religious man.

As he identifies, there has been a polarity in the debate so far but that is maybe because the iconography of the traditional heterosexual marriage ceremony is so exclusive.

I suggest gay people are less interested in aping these traditions than in simply achieving equality for all relationships so what Rev Shone suggests seems a dignified solution and will free everyone from absurdist imaginings as to who is going to wear the white dress.

Neil Barber

Saughtonhall Drive

Edinburgh

HAS anyone done any research into the likely take-up of same-sex marriage?

I would be very interested to know what proportion of gay people actually want to get 
married. I suspect that the figure is lower than many activists would have us believe.

J BRODIE

Lochend Road

Edinburgh