MSPs have voted in favour of legislation to introduce same-sex marriage in Scotland, despite widespread opposition to the move from members of the public, it was reported in late November.
The Scottish Government’s public consultation produced a record 77,508 responses, with more than two-thirds opposed to the proposals. But 98 MSPs voted in principle for the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill in the first of three parliamentary stages, while 15 voted against the legislation.
Responding to the outcome, campaign group Scotland for Marriage said: ‘The Scottish Government’s promise of sufficient safeguards has been shown to be hollow. Real safeguards set out in amendments to the legislation are required to protect the rights and civil liberties of the majority of Scots who don’t support this law’.
A founder of the Humanist Society of Scotland has resigned over the group’s support for same-sex marriage. Nigel Bruce, 92, has written to the body on many occasions, expressing his concern about the society’s position on the issue. In his letter of resignation, he said: ‘As a Humanist philosopher, I have strong rational opinions on this question. Most assume that only religious folk [are] concerned by the threat to traditional marriage’.
