Misinformation on same-sex marriage debate

Published on 23/09/2012 00:00

GERALD Warner (Strictly Speaking, 16 September) compares the debate on same-sex marriage with the debate 12 years ago on the repeal of Section 28. Then, the “Keep the Clause” campaign spent money promoting misinformation about the effects of repeal. They said it would lead to, in the words of a headline, “Gay sex lessons in schools”. Time has proved that to be nonsense, and one Keep the Clause spokesperson graciously apologised to the Equality Network for getting it wrong.

Now we see the same tactics used again. Warner repeats the incorrect claim that churches will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages. UK equality law gives churches the freedom to opt out, and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, on freedom of religion, further guarantees that. The eight European countries that allow same-sex marriage are subject to the same European human rights laws as Scotland. No religious body which disagrees has been required to conduct same-sex marriages in any of those countries.

When we have same-sex marriage here, and we all see that churches are free to choose whether or not to conduct them, I wonder if Gerald Warner will have the grace to apologise?

Tim Hopkins, Equality Network, Edinburgh