This week, the Scottish Government announced that they will bring forward legislation to lift the ban on same-sex marriage in Scotland, in both civil and religious ceremonies.
The announcement was welcomed by the Equality Network, the LGBT equality charity campaigning for Equal Marriage in Scotland.
They say it is "a proud day for Scotland, as we look to join the front rank of progressive nations."
Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: "Today is a proud day for Scotland. The Scottish Government have shown their determination to make Scotland a more progressive country. With cross-party support for equality in the Scottish Parliament we would expect that this change can be passed next year."
"Same-sex marriage is about equality and freedom. The freedom for couples, and religious and humanist groups that want to, to celebrate same-sex marriages. But equally, upholding the freedom of other religious groups to say no to same-sex marriages. That's the right way for Scotland to deal with the different opinions on this."
"We welcome that religious and humanist groups that want to conduct same-sex marriages will be able to do so. We have no problem with a small amendment to the Equality Act to ensure that religious celebrants who disagree don't have to conduct same-sex marriages. We fully expect the UK Government to cooperate to ensure that. We have always said that religious bodies and celebrants who do not want to conduct same-sex marriage should be free to opt out."
"In the Scottish Government's consultation, two thirds of the proper consultation responses from Scotland were in favour of same-sex marriage. Consultation is not a numbers game though, and it's not about petitions and postcards. The Scottish Government were right to take the time to carefully consider the all the points raised by consultation responses."
The Equality Network also welcomes that transgender people will no longer be forced to divorce before their gender can be legally recognised. That change removes a truly unjust requirement.
James Morton, coordinator of Scottish Transgender Alliance, said: "Opening up marriage to all, regardless of gender, is a sign that all families in Scotland are equally valued."
The announcement was widely welcomed by same-sex couples and by religious and humanist celebrants:
Jaye and Ruth Richards-Hill, a lesbian Christian couple from Glasgow, said: "We are no longer treated like second class citizens by our government. We are thrilled that we can now get the religious wedding that we deserve. "
Nathan and Robert Gale, a gay couple from Edinburgh, said: "This is an extremely exciting day for us and for everyone in Scotland who supports equality. The love that we have for each other is the same as that between heterosexual couples and now our marriage will be as well"
Ross Wright, Humanist Marriage celebrant said: "We are delighted that the Scottish Government has chosen the side of love and equality in this step towards a fairer Scotland. We look forward to the quick passage of this legislation so that we can conduct the first Humanist same-sex marriage ceremonies in Scotland."
Rabbi Mark Solomon of the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, said: "This is a day of pride and joy for Scotland and all her LGBT citizens. It is a major step towards a fully equal and just society where the commitment of all loving couples is honoured. At a Jewish wedding we shout Mazal-tov (congratulations and good luck) when the bridegroom breaks the glass to end the ceremony. A huge Mazal-tov to the Scottish government and us all!"
Rev Jane Clarke, of the Metropolitan Community Church said: ""I am delighted by this decision. At last I will be not be forced by the law to discriminate against the same-sex couples within my congregation. I am very proud to live in Scotland and very proud of this decision today."
The Rev Lindsay Louise Biddle, Chaplain of Affirmation Scotland and a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister serving in the Church of Scotland, said: "As a Christian minister ready and able to conduct weddings for two women or two men, I wholeheartedly applaud the Scottish Government's decision to introduce same-sex marriage. I am proud to serve as a minister of religion in Scotland where the rights of all people are protected and the freedom of individual conscience is affirmed."
The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, Provost of St Mary's Cathedral, Scottish Episcopal Church, said: "I'm delighted to welcome the Scottish Government's decision to move towards Equal Marriage. Opening the door to marriage for same-sex couples opens the way to full equality for lesbian and gay Scots. Churches and other faith groups will now have the opportunity, previously denied them, to decide for themselves whether or not to affirm the relationships of same-sex couples in their midst. People of faith and people of goodwill are at work to ensure that gay couples can walk down the street hand in hand in safety. Now we can look forward to those same couples walking down the aisle together, fully able to celebrate their relationships within their faith communities. This is a great day for LGBT people of faith and a great step forward in affirming that all Scots should be treated equally by the law."
MSPs from across the political parties have welcomed the announcement.
Marco Biagi, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central, said: ""This decision will be welcomed by everyone who has kept the faith, confident in the belief that this Scottish Government would do the right thing. The consultation is now over and the legislating can begin, with a majority of MSPs from across all parties declared in support. I'm looking forward to voting for Scotland to join our near neighbours like Denmark, Norway and Sweden as a progressive beacon for inclusion, equality and acceptance. It can't come soon enough."
Jim Eadie, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Southern, said: "I am delighted that the Scottish Government have taken the view that marriage and civil partnership should be open to both mixed sex and same sex couples on an equal footing. This sends the clearest possible signal about the kind of country we wish Scotland to be - a society which is open, tolerant and generous to all. I am immensely proud to be associated with a Government that is prepared not just to talk about equality but to take the necessary action to deliver equality. Scotland can now be the first country and legal jurisdiction in the United Kingdom to introduce equal marriage. By taking this step we will be doing what other countries like Norway, Spain and Canada have already done and ensure that all loving and committed relationships between two people can be celebrated and receive the legal recognition which they deserve. This is about creating a modern and progressive society — one of which we can all be proud. We can do this while guaranteeing religious freedom for those Churches and individual celebrants who do not wish to perform same sex marriage. In fact we enhance religious freedom by allowing those religious bodies who have expressed a desire to celebrate same sex marriages to do so. When future generations look back they will see this as an historic moment which helped to create a Scotland based on equality, justice and fairness for all".
In June the Equality Network announced that a majority of MSPs had signed its Equal Marriage Pledge, committing themselves to voting in favour of same-sex marriage. 74 MSPs have now said they will vote in favour, including the leaders of all the opposition parties. Just 9 MSPs remain opposed.
Opinion polls have shown consistent public support for same-sex marriage in Scotland. The most recent poll was conducted in mid-June by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Equality Network. It showed record support with 64% of Scots in favour of a change in the law, and just 26% opposed. Separate polls conducted over the past two years by Populus, YouGov, Angus Reid, and the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey, have all shown similar levels of support.
