Human rights groups, Christians supporting equality and the Green
Party have welcomed the accelerated Scottish consultation on marriage
equality.
The consultation was launched at the end of the week by ministers in
the Scottish government, and argued that strong support for the move
towards recognising same-sex marriage shown over the summer recess has
helped to move the timetable forward.
Formal consultation had not been expected until spring 2012, but
cross-party backing for an amendment put forward by the Scottish Greens'
co-leader Patrick Harvie has given confidence that a Parliamentary
majority exists for the principle of equality.
Those supporting the change believe that all couples should have the
right to civil partnerships or marriage, as suits them, and that faith
groups which wish to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies - religious or
secular - should be permitted to do so.
Patrick Harvie MSP commented: "Marriage and family law should be
about love and commitment, and the perception of same-sex relationships
as somehow wrong or second class is destined for the dustbin of history.
There are practical issues about how to get the details of legislation
right, and this consultation will resolve those matters. But the
principle must be clear - and I call for a commitment for legislation to
be introduced in 2012."
He added: "The initial view expressed by SNP Ministers is welcome,
but we now need to keep up the pace and ensure that the law catches up
with public opinion. There is no reason why we should be waiting till
halfway through the current Parliament before we see legislation passed
at Holyrood, and if we move quickly we will put real pressure on the UK
Government to act as well."
"If Scotland moves before the rest of the UK, coalition Ministers
must either give full recognition to same-sex marriages, including those
of English and Welsh residents who travel north of the border for their
ceremonies, or leave themselves facing a charge of prejudice and
hypocrisy. This could be another issue where Scotland's Parliament leads
to progress throughout the whole UK," said Mr Harvie.