Parties unite to back gay marriage
Johann Lamont, Willie Rennie, Patrick Harvie and Ruth Davidson cut the cake to support the samesex marriage
THE clamour for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Scotland has grown after the leaders of Holyrood’s opposition parties signed a pledge supporting the move.
Labour’s Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson of the Conservatives, Willie Rennie of the Lib Dems and the Greens’ Patrick Harvie signed a pledge expressing their backing for homosexual weddings.
The four opposition leaders signed a declaration saying that they would “campaign to beat the ban on same sex marriage”.
At an event in the Scottish Parliament organised by the Equality Network, they cut a wedding cake to symbolise their support for a change in the law. The cake-cutting ceremony was carried out before MSPs of all parties attended an evening reception co-sponsored by the openly gay SNP MSP Joe Fitzpatrick.
SNP ministers did not sign the declaration because the Scottish Government is currently engaged in a consultation on the issue and it was felt that it would be inappropriate to pre-judge that process.
But the event angered the Catholic Church, which has been vocal in its opposition to gay weddings.
Last night John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: “It is disappointing that party leaders have been so cavalier in joining the bandwagon for redefining marriage. We deserve a more reflective approach from those in a position of political leadership.
“Marriage is essentially linked with recognising and supporting the roles of mother and father. There is a lack of real tolerance when that view is sweepingly likened to a form of discrimination or bigotry. This is, of course, an attempt to win a political position by intimidation rather than by coherence of argument.”
But the party leaders were unrepentant, indicating their strong support for changing the law. The Scottish Government has indicated that it will support homosexual marriage, but will give religious denominations the freedom to decline from holding such ceremonies if they go against their beliefs.
Ms Lamont said: “I am delighted to support the Equality Network and their campaign. As someone committed to creating a fairer, safer and more equal society, free from discrimination and bigotry,”
The openly gay Scottish Conservative leader Ms Davidson said: “I support the Equality Network’s equal marriage campaign. It seeks a more equal society while recognising that religious organisations which do not wish to carry out ceremonies should not be compelled to do so.”
Mr Rennie added: “I want Scotland to be one of the most fair and progressive places in the world. Extending marriage equality to all is a really important part of that.”
Ahead of his reception, Mr Fitzpatrick said: “It comes as no great surprise that, as a gay SNP MSP, I fully support the proposals laid out in the Scottish Government’s consultation. But it is quite right that during the consultation we listen to those with concerns.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “While we have already made clear the government’s initial view in support of same-sex marriage, it would be inappropriate for a government minister to sign any pledge on this matter while the analysis of the consultation is ongoing. We expect to publish the analysis in the spring.”
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Comments
There are 36 comments to this article
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kate.ohanlanmd
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 07:59 PMPending Moderation
allymax
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 06:47 PMGarry #34, you like to try to force everybody to think Scotland is homophobic, but there's no evidence of that; your claims are unfounded, and scaremongering. It really doesn't help your argument for S-SM. Please stop with the forcing of lies and scaremongering Garry. Here's what the article says,................... " Mr Fitzpatrick said: “ as a gay SNP MSP, I fully support the proposals laid out in the Scottish Government’s consultation. But it is quite right that during the consultation we listen to those with concerns. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: While we have already made clear the government’s initial view in support of same-sex marriage, it would be inappropriate for a government minister to sign any pledge on this matter while the analysis of the consultation is ongoing. We expect to publish the analysis in the spring.” .............................It is dis-ingenuous of the SNP Scottish Government to claim to be conciliatory, but all their rhetoric has been 'loaded' with their 'initial view'; that's not democratic, nor equal to the vast majority of the people of Scotland. How can the people of Scotland, (and I really do mean all 98.7% of Scotland effected), say they are being given a choice, or an opinion in this issue of S-SM (an un-necessary and unwanted law), being forced on them by the SNP ? It is obvious to everyone maintaining a vigil against this horrendous and degenerating proposed law over Scotland that the SNP Scottish Government are allowing their Loony-Left, and their gay MSP, to guide this horrendous proposed bill toward forcing it through parliament, on the people of Scotland, against the wishes of the Scots populace. ....................Neither you, your 'all-party-unionist-support' from Westminster, nor the SNP Scottish Government can say they have acted correctly in this matter; it is a horrible scenario where Scots want independence because of this very un-democratic belligerence from Westminster, and their only real avenue for independence, the SNP Scottish Government, are forcing the same horrible laws on Scotland as Westminster do, when the SNP claim to be democratic. Nowhere in the SNP manifesto did they say they were going to force this horrible S-SM law on Scotland; it is unfair, dis-ingenuous, and un-democratic for any of these SNP and unionist Holyrood MSP cronies to force this law on Scotland; they are functionally coming out and crowing about forcing Same-Sex Marriage laws on Scotland. You may think it's good fun, but the vast majority of Scots, and Scotland don't want this law; and we are not concerned about your 'demanding' claims of 'equality', nor political correctness; where's the 'equality' in a tiny tiny tiny few hundred gays forcing over 5 million people to be subordinate to Same-Sex laws? When 1.3% of the population can force the other 98.7% to be subordinate then it's more than clear the SNP Scottish Government, and their decadent fancy MSP's, are NOT representing the people of Scotland; and certainly not their constituents !
GarryOtton
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:46 PMAllymax, the reason no SNP supporters could be visible on this is because THEY put the matter out to consultation and didn't want to be seen to be taking sides. Several SNP MSPs have, however, already pledged their support and they know, after having promised to start the ball rolling, they already have cross-party support in getting it through. Given the proven links between religous homophobia and homosexuality, I think the time has come for objectors to examine their own motivations more closely.
kate.ohanlanmd
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:27 PMPending Moderation
GarryOtton
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 04:04 PMI don't really get your point, Moroder. If you are abused, I would suggest you report it. I don't see how any 'line of reasoning' is abuse however crooked. I'm surprised any academic would come out with such nonsense anyway but then we'd need to hear their side of it.
allymax
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:56 PMHey Garry, mibbee ye shuid gaen get thon 'All party support' o' Westminster unionists (up in ra picture), tae help ye oot here wi' yer S-SM argument, coz yoo ain't daen a' that well. Ye'r takkin' a hammering man. A'l let ye gaen get sum help; awa ye go fella.
mordor
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:48 PM28GarryOtton Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:35 PM It's you who is not doing so well, Ally. You haven't got the theocracy you want and we aren't run by finger-wagging clercs. The First Minister IS on record saying he is 'minded' to change the law to allow people of the same sex to marry. Yes, that's right... Your beloved Scottish National Party supports gay marriage! Wonderful, isn't it?_____________________________________________________________ Garry Otton, these matters are matters of individual conscience and at no point has AllyMax said that he wants a theocracy. I was personally abused by two University of Edinburgh (so-called) academics on their (f-d-up) line of reasoning that because I do not "hate" Christians that must mean that I "hate" gay people. I do not feel the need to hate any human being and am an agnostic. Do you support these two individuals attacking me in the (supposed) interest of "gay rights" and "Equality" on the basis that I do not feel the need to hate anyone? I am interested to hear whether you think of this and whether you as a "gay activist" believe these people are right or wrong to behave in this manner.
allymax
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:47 PMGarry #28, firstly, I want to say thanks to you, for coming on these forums and trying to argue 'for' S-SM; at least there's one person that's not afraid to show their (lack of), argument on this issue. Now, I'll ignore the slander to the Church in Scotland you presume to talk for. As for Scotland's First Minister; yes it's true, he is beloved; but no, it's false for you to say; 'The First Minister IS on record saying he is 'minded' to change the law to allow people of the same sex to marry."... ..Your statement there is false; or wrong. Or, even a purposeful lie; who knows what you're thinking by trying to trap the First Minister into a ye-or-nay stance on this issue ? What the First Minister has said, is that he's 'not minded either way'; now that means he has no concernable opinion on the issue. That's not the same as you saying he is minded for S-SM; you are cheating Garry ! Stop it.
GarryOtton
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:35 PMIt's you who is not doing so well, Ally. You haven't got the theocracy you want and we aren't run by finger-wagging clercs. The First Minister IS on record saying he is 'minded' to change the law to allow people of the same sex to marry. Yes, that's right... Your beloved Scottish National Party supports gay marriage! Wonderful, isn't it?
allymax
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:28 PMOh-yeh, nearly forgot Garry, you say the Greens are not 'entirely' a unionist party; I say rubbish. Just before the Scottish elections in May 2011, the Greens done-a-deal with Westminster to 'cashe' their Holyrood MSP votes in with the unionist party's, in an attempt to deny the SNP being re-elected as Scottish Government. Your 'Greens', tried to do a dastardly deed to deny the will of the Scottish people. Seems all your lot are about is to deny Scotland everything! You're not doing too well here Garry !
allymax
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:24 PMGarry Otton #24, there's absolutely no 'social equality' in forcing 98.7% of Scotland's effected society into accepting this horrendous S-SM bill that only 1.3% feel they either do want it, or, not really bothered. Seems to me you are doing Westminster's 'digging' for them; how much does Westminster pay you Garry ? ... I see you're trying to tell me what to think now; keep digging sparky ! .....And there you go attempting to speak on behalf of Scotland's people, and the Church in Scotland; I'd luv tae see thon stats' you have to support your (ahem) 'claims' Garry.
allymax
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:15 PMGarry Otton, I see you're starting with the abuse and slander now; not got a coherent and sensible argument on the S-SM issue ??.............. I can't really say if Scotland's First Minister Alex' Salmond is 'minded' for this, he hasn't actually said what he thinks on this issue, and I can't speak for him neither. So I don't see how you could speak for him !........ You are getting 'personal' Garry; no need for that sunshine. ..........Also, you 'assume' far to much Garry; you cannot speak for the youth of Scotland, and you cannot speak for the Church in Scotland. Seems to me, you only like hearing your own voice, echo around your self-congratulatory thoughts.
GarryOtton
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:13 PM@Allymax. The Greens are not an entirely Unionist party, the Tories have grown wiser since they supported Section 28 (the aplogised for it before setting about modernising their party), Labour have always supported social equality and fairness as have the LibDems and the SNP appear to be doing likewise. The minority of religionists who use the media to push their extreme views down everyone's throats are exactly that: A minority. The majority of religionists, as I've said, SUPPORT equality. Now stop being so selfish and accept that it is also THEIR church too and give way a bit or the pews will be emptying even faster than they are now.
allymax
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:06 PMVan =-Dufus, it's not my thesis, it's Gary Otton's.
mordor
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 03:04 PMI consider the claim that marriage being defined as 'a union between a man and a woman who plan to have children' is "bigotry" is an absurd statement. Does this mean that a man or woman who is straight but has not found someone to marry is a victim of "bigotry too"? I personally did not have any issue with it until some of the gay rights movement people (Garry Otton and others) started with the foaming-at-the-mouth hatred of anyone who is of a religious faith (even hating me, even though I have no religion and had no particular view on the matter) and I would hope that in future such individuals can be a little more civil and recognise that "marriage" is an 'it' with it being a concept while a person who has a religion is a 'thou' because they are a human being. Feel free to attack a person's arguments through intellectual or moral persuasion but try not to attack a human being as this is useful to no one.
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