Scottish council elections: 300,000 leaflets sent out by group opposed to gay marriage

A GROUP opposed to plans to legalise gay marriage will deliver leaflets to almost 300,000 homes ahead of this Thursday’s local council elections.

Scotland for Marriage - which is supported by some religious groups - opposes the Scottish Government’s proposal to extend the definition to same-sex couples.

The campaign said it hopes to leaflet every house in Glasgow and have put the cost of doing so at £15,000.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: “The Government launched a consultation and two-thirds of those who replied said ‘no’.

“I hope they listen and abandon this crazy plan to dismantle marriage, which has only ever meant the union of a man and a woman.”

However, Tom French, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said there is “widespread support across Scotland’s faith communities for equal marriage.”

He said: “The Scottish Parliament should recognise this and bring forward legislation that allows both religious and civil same-sex marriages.

“Opponents of equality should remember that religious freedom cuts both ways, and whilst no faith group should be required to conduct same-sex marriages, it is equally important that none are prevented from doing so.”