Scottish parliament passes gay-marriage bill

Legislation permitting same-sex marriage in Scotland was passed by the Scottish parliament on Tuesday with an overwhelming majority, writes Brian Morton.

Last-ditch amendments to the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, that would have protected Christian individuals and organisations who object in principle to working with same-sex couples, failed.

The amendments were led by John Mason, the MSP for Shettleston in Glasgow, one of a very small number of Scottish National Party members to question the new legislation.

Among Mr Mason’s proposed amendments to the bill was a clause to guarantee that no public sector employee would suffer any “detriment” if he or she believed that marriage was exclusively a union between one man and one woman. Churches will be able to “opt in” to perform same-sex marriages, but ministers stressed that churches will not be forced to hold same-sex wedding ceremonies.

Mr Mason told The Tablet: “A number of us tried to increase safeguards for those who are opposed to same-sex marriage or at least have reservations about it.

“These include Christians, Muslims and other religious people, but also folk with no real faith who are just uncomfortable with what is happening. People who we feel could be vulnerable under this legislation would include public sector workers, priests, ministers, or even whole denominations who refuse to carry out same-sex marriage; couples hoping to adopt or foster; volunteers in the third sector; and Churches wanting to work with the public sector.”

The bill was voted into law by 105 votes to 18.