Gay Marriage Discussed By Scottish Ministers

Controversial proposals on same-sex marriage are to be discussed by ministers in Scotland.

If approved, it would make Scotland the first country in the UK to agree same-sex marriage.

The Scottish cabinet is meeting in Edinburgh, after almost 80,000 people responsed to a government consultation - a much bigger response than the 26,000 who commented on the consultation over independence.

The proposal to legalise gay marriage has ignited a debate between gay rights supporters and the Roman Catholic Church, with leaders of the church urging a referendum on the issue because of "intense public interest".

However, gay marriage supporter, the Equality Network charity, says the Scottish government should reject the call because such a move would "go against the core principles of Scotland's representative democracy".

At the start of the consultation, which closed in December, the government said it "tends towards the view" that same-sex marriage should be introduced, although faith groups and their celebrants should not be forced to solemnise the ceremonies.

Tom French, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said: "If there was a nationwide referendum, conducted fairly, we are sure that Scots would vote for equality for same-sex couples. But that is not the way Scottish democracy works.

"Our MSPs were elected on clear manifesto commitments to consider the evidence, and decide, and we have confidence in them to do that. A referendum would be un-Scottish, unfair and a colossal waste of taxpayers' money."

Scotland for Marriage - which opposes proposals to extend the definition to same-sex couples - said the Equality Network was "running scared" of a referendum on the issue.

A spokesman for the campaign said: "If they believe their own hype, if they believe their own polls, they should have the guts to put it to a vote. Their rejection of a referendum shows that, for all their talk, they know most people don't agree with them."

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, on Monday suggested that, as the marriage consultation had received three times more responses than the consultation on the independence referendum, one should also be held on same-sex marriage.

"Clearly, if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence, it is crucial that we have one on marriage," he said.

"It is the only way the country can move forward on this issue. Let all those who have a view on this subject place their trust in the Scottish people and let Scotland decide."