A wee request

glypta

This is something close to my heart and I hope close to yours. I have many friend that this affects and I hope you'd read and consider signing the petition. And if you do, also forwarding it on to you and yours...

http://www.equalmarriage.org.uk/

sexforjaffacakes

I filled in the wee sheet a while ago, I think Scotland as a country is very open towards it, certainley more than our neighbours doon south, and I hope the government realises this and legalises it.

Also, have you seen alex salmonds "it gets better" vid? He's a slimy prick and he uses it to show off about the governments pro gay policies but it is still quite good :L

glypta

That's the thing that bugs me. I'm pro-independence but Salmond is funded by Church of Scotland, who I'm not against generally, but I don't agree with their stance on this issue.

sexforjaffacakes

really? didny know that. though the church of Scotland are still fairly liberal as far as churches go.
I think Scotland is a modern country and the majority of people do not care about the church, fine if the church don't like gay marriage, that's their veiw, but religion has no place in politics anymore.

very a much an attitude of...

"Not everyone believes as you believe!"
"My beliefs do not require that."

MATRIX QUOTES! lol

kyle4jem

The Kirk is completely up its own *kitten* re. equality for LGBT-folks. On the outside it seems a very liberal, Lutheran-style community, but those in the know can see it for being just as petty and prejudiced as other monotheistic faiths.

Sure it's ok to be queer dear, as long as you're not lying back and thinking of Bonnie Scotland every night. Why should they demand celibacy from gay clergy when they don't from their heterosexual members?

The whole debacle surrounding Scott Rennie's ordination really brought everything to a head and I hope that Scotland will see the light and show itself to be a progressive country. Let the church split... it's done it before and it'll happen again and again.

The only thing I dinnae get, but what's this nonsense about different-sex couples wanting Civil Partnerships? Surely it's legally just the same as a civil marriage? I know that from a legal stand-point the hubster and I have exactly the same rights as any civilly married couple.

Personally, I'd like to see a European-style shift to all marriages being civil marriages and only thereafter can couples choose to re-confirm their vows in church. That would put the kybosch on the Kirk's high & mighty plans once and for all.

sexforjaffacakes

The only thing I dinnae get, but what's this nonsense about different-sex couples wanting Civil Partnerships? Surely it's legally just the same as a civil marriage? I know that from a legal stand-point the hubster and I have exactly the same rights as any civilly married couple.

This confuses me too, what is the point in straight couples wanting a civil partnership? You can have a non religious state marriage already if you like.
Only reason I can think is if these "I don't believe in marriage" types wanna have the same rights and recognition without going down the route of actual marriage. Which I think is stupid, it's exactly the same, only difference is the title!
same arguments for gay marriage - they already have the same rights, it's just degrading to give it a different name.

kyle4jem

There's a new story on BBC News: http://bbc.in/uedLXK

Rainbow coalition backs Scots gay marriage law change

Pro gay marriage campaigners The pro-gay marriage campaigners highlight the 18,000 responses they handed into Holyrood
Continue reading the main story
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A rainbow coalition of organisations in favour of gay marriage has handed over 18,000 responses to a government consultation on the issue.

The Equality Network, Amnesty International, Unison and the Humanist Society of Scotland are among the group campaigning for change.

The consultation asking if civil or religious marriage should be allowed for gay people ends this week.

St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow also said it wanted change.

However, the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Scotland and representatives from the Muslim community are against changing the law.

The government's Nicola Sturgeon has said all views would be listened to, but added that ministers "tended towards the initial view" that same-sex marriage should be introduced.

Tom French, policy coordinator for the Equality Network, said: "Today we have seen a rainbow coalition of organisations from across Scottish society voice their strong support for equal marriage.

"It is increasingly clear that the vast majority of Scots support same-sex marriage. For most people this is a simple issue of love, equality and fairness. If a same-sex couple love each other and want to get married, then why should they be banned from doing so?

"There can be no excuse for continuing to deny same-sex couples equality under the law. We hope the Scottish government will listen to what is being said, stand by its values and legislate for equal marriage."

As as the Equality Network, the rainbow coalition includes the Scottish Youth Parliament, Amnesty International, Unison, the Humanist Society of Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and NUS Scotland.

Ministers and government officials have been meeting key groups to discuss the proposals which would ensure religious organisations do not have to register same-sex marriages against their will.

Last week Ann Allen of the Church of Scotland joined Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, at the launch of the "Scotland For Marriage" campaign outside the Scottish Parliament.

They were joined by former SNP leader Gordon Wilson and a group of around 200 supporters.

The group supports the current legal definition of marriage and is resistant to plans to redefine it to include same-sex couples.

In its submission to the consultation, the governing body of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral said it acknowledged that some people were still troubled by the proposals

The cathedral's provost, the Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth said: "As this is a place where gay couples can already seek God's blessing on their Civil Partnerships, it would be unsurprising if there were not gay couples who look to us for marriage when the law is changed to allow this to happen.

"We believe that gay couples can show forth God's grace in the same way that straight couples can. I believe that grace and love are at the heart of what the church believes about marriage, not necessarily the gender of the participants."