Tag: Scotland

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Scotland votes to remain with United Kingdom

Scotland has voted, and the people have decided by a vote of 55% – 45% to continue the country’s 307 year history with England. The “no” votes win.

From ABC News:

While voters in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, voted in favor of independence, voters in the capital of Edinburgh and the country’s oil center of Aberdeen cast their ballots Thursday against it, keeping Scotland in the union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“I accept that verdict of the people, and I call on all of Scotland to follow suit, and accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland,” Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said from Edinburgh.

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Scotland hopes to offer asylum to persecuted LGBT Ugandans

Scotland’s Minister of External Affairs hopes to offer asylum to LGBT Ugandans who feel persecuted by “Anti-Homosexuality Act” in Uganda.

Via Herald Scotland:

Scotland is to offer asylum to Ugandans facing persecution under the country’s oppressive new legislation against its gay population.

Humza Yousaf, Minister For External Affairs, has written to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague detailing the Scottish Government’s gesture to welcome “any Ugandan” persecuted by the new laws.

It comes on the back of an outcry from the international community at the Ugandan anti-gay legislation and concern over the welcome being extended to countries with anti-gay laws during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

With prominent members of the Ugandan government due in Glasgow this summer, the Scottish Government will also meet representatives of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) groups to discuss proposals on handling human rights issues during the event.

Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni this week signed a bill that includes life sentences for gay sex and same-sex marriage.

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Scotland: Marriage equality passes 105-18

The Associated Press reports that the Scottish Parliament has overwhelmingly voted in favor of a same-sex marriage bill, allowing the first such ceremonies to take place by the end of the year.

Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil called the bill’s approval “one of the great historic days of the parliament.”

Good times, kids.  Remember this… 🙂

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Marriage equality passes in Scotland!

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/scotland-passes-the-freedom-to-marry-in-final-vote

Scotland’s Parliament today voted by 105 to 18 on final approval of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.  The first Scottish gay and lesbian weddings will take place sometime this fall.

The Scottish government said the move was the right thing to do but Scotland’s two main churches were opposed to it.

Churches and religious organizations will have the option to choose whether or not to perform same-sex marriages.  No part of the religious community will be forced to hold same-sex marriage ceremonies in churches.

Freedom to Marry founder and president Evan Wolfson issued this statement:

With the freedom to marry bill clearing its final hurdle in Scotland today, same-sex couples can finally share in the freedom to marry alongside their neighbors in England and Wales. Today’s win comes after a rich and extensive debate, and after an overwhelming victory in its previous parliamentary vote. Freedom to Marry looks forward from afar to seeing the first Scottish marriages performed in autumn; and will continue working along the Roadmap to Victory needed to ensure that the United States joins them on the right side of history.

(source)

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Scotland’s marriage equality bill to be given final approval today

The final vote on marriage equality today will take place today in Scotland.

Although LGBT couples in Scotland have civil partnership protections, the Marriage and Civil Partnerships Bill would provide full marriage equality to Scots.

The legislation is expected to pass with a wide margin.

From BBC:

The legislation, which is facing its final vote in the Holyrood parliament, passed its previous parliamentary hurdle by 98 votes to 15, with five abstentions.

MSPs have been allowed a free vote, rather than along party lines, and voting numbers for the last stage are expected to remain broadly the same as on the previous occasion.

Gay rights organisations, including the Equality Network and Stonewall Scotland, and a range of other groups, have supported the legislation.

But the Scottish Catholic Church and Church of Scotland oppose the move, and have said they have no plans to conduct same-sex marriages.

Same-sex marriages will begin in England and Wales on March 29th.

Scotland’s new law won’t take effect until later this fall.

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Solid majority of Scotland supports marriage equality

A majority of Scots back same-sex marriage, according to the most detailed survey of public opinion since MSPs began moves to change the law.

A YouGov poll shows 56% of Scots support the legislation going through Holyrood. However a significant minority – 35% – are opposed, while 8% are unsure.

The findings were welcomed by campaigners for same-sex marriage who said MSPs should “take heart” from the level of support among the public.

At Holyrood all the main parties support the move, though individual MSPs have been allowed to vote according to their conscience.

A final vote is due next year but opinion at Holyrood is not thought likely to change significantly following detailed scrutiny of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill. The first gay ceremonies are expected in early 2015.

Under the Scottish Government’s proposals, religious and faith organisations would “opt in” to perform same-sex marriages if they accepted the idea.

(via HeraldScotland.com)

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Scotland: Marriage equality by 2013?

The Scottish government has introduced a draft version of its marriage equality bill.  Via Gay Star News:

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. In addition the bill will introduce religious and belief ceremonies for civil partnerships. Finally, the bill will allow civil marriages to take place anywhere a couple and their registrar choose. The Scottish government will now be consulting on the implementation of the draft bill, including the details of the legislation and proposals relating to religious bodies and celebrants, freedom of speech, education and employment. Following the close of the public consultation on 20 March, the Scottish government will make any changes to the bill that are considered necessary, then introduce the bill for a vote into the Scottish parliament.

The bill may become law by the end of 2013.

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Scotland poised to introduce same-sex marriage

Scotland could become the first part of the UK to introduce gay marriage after the SNP government announced plans to make the change.

Ministers confirmed they would bring forward a bill on the issue, indicating the earliest ceremonies could take place by the start of 2015.

Political leaders, equality organisations and some faith groups welcomed introducing same-sex marriage.

Same-sex couples in Scotland currently have the option to enter into civil partnerships and the Holyrood government has insisted no part of the religious community would be forced to hold same-sex weddings in churches.

The Scottish government said it would work with UK ministers to amend equality laws to protect celebrants from legal or disciplinary action if they refuse to take part or speak out against same-sex ceremonies.

Scotland’s deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “We are committed to a Scotland that is fair and equal and that is why we intend to proceed with plans to allow same-sex marriage and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships – we believe that this is the right thing to do.

More at BBC.uk.co