Scottish Government considers legalising gay marriage

A consultation on whether Scotland should officially recognise same-sex marriages has been launched by the health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon.

Support for such a motion is widespread, as 60 per cent of Scots are in favour of same-sex marriage according to a recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey.

Speaking to The Journal, LGBT Youth Scotland gave a positive response to the Government's consultation:

"LGBT Youth Scotland warmly welcomes the Scottish Government's consultation on marriage equality.

"LGBT young people across the country have consistently raised marriage equality as a top priority, and the LGBT National Youth Council have campaigned for marriage equality for the past two years.

"We look forward to an end to the outdated and exclusionary law on marriage, so that Scotland can move closer to becoming a truly equal society."

However, there are concerns that legalising gay marriage could cause friction between ecumenical bodies and the Scottish Government. Ms Sturgeon said that religious groups that did not wish to “solemnise” gay marriage should not be forced to.

The Catholic Church showed a negative sentiment towards the consultation as Cardinal Keith O'Brien gave a strongly-worded opposition to the idea of same-sex marriage in a homily last week, insisting that it is a “direct attack” on the institution of marriage.

He said: "The Church esteems the institution of marriage as the most stable building block upon which any family can rest.

"The view of the Church is clear, no government can rewrite human nature; the family and marriage existed before the State and are built on the union between a man and woman.

"Any attempt to redefine marriage is a direct attack on a foundational building block of society and will be strenuously opposed." 

Green MSP Patrick Harvie attacked the Cardinal's stance as “absurd”. 

He said: "Just as non-Catholics respect Catholic marriages, so it's time for the Cardinal to start respecting the right of every adult to love who they please.

"The Cardinal should also remember that he doesn't speak for all people of faith, or even all Christians.

"There are many faith groups who want to conduct same-sex marriages for their members, and the Catholic Church seems determined to try and suppress their freedom to do so." 

The consultation on legalising gay marriages coincides with the decision to lift the life-long ban for gay men to donate blood.

From 7 September gay men will be able to give blood in England, Scotland and Wales given that they have not had sex with another man in the past 12 months. This is considered a saftey measure to allow for the detection of blood-born viruses, such as Aids.

However, Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive for gay rights group Stonewall, considers the safety window too long. He said to the BBC: "To retain a blanket ban on any man who has had sex with another man in the last year, even if he has only had oral sex, remains disproportionate on the basis of available evidence."