Scotland approves Same-Sex Marriage Tuesday Feb 04,2014

Currently in Scotland, same-sex couples can enter into civil partnerships.

The legislation to allow same-sex marriage first entered the Scottish parliament for debate in June 2013 despite opposition from church and other religious groups

Scotland voted overwhelmingly the law, entitled the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill on Tuesday Feb 04,2014 to allow same-sex marriages, becoming the 17th country to give the green light to gay marriage despite opposition from its main church organisations.

The approval, in a vote of 105 to 18 in Scotland's devolved parliament, follows similar legislation passed by the British parliament last year that allows same-sex marriage in England and Wales, with the first weddings to take place from March 29,2014

In Feb 2013 UK Lawmakers in the House of Commons approve same-sex marriage in England and Wales.The bill passed on a 400-175 Vote which confirms a widespread report of a split within Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party over the issue
The Church of England is also opposed to the bill which gives religious bodies an option to decline to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies

The bill passed on a 400-175 vote, which confirms a widespread report of a split within Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party over the issue. The Church of England is also opposed to the legislation, which gives religious bodies an option to decline to perform same-sex ceremonies.
Read more at http://www.ryot.org/uk-approves-same-sex-marriage-bill/68870#WXLLblABD9xTzjjm.99

The bill passed on a 400-175 vote, which confirms a widespread report of a split within Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party over the issue. The Church of England is also opposed to the legislation, which gives religious bodies an option to decline to perform same-sex ceremonies.
Read more at http://www.ryot.org/uk-approves-same-sex-marriage-bill/68870#WXLLblABD9xTzjjm.99

The bill passed on a 400-175 vote, which confirms a widespread report of a split within Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party over the issue. The Church of England is also opposed to the legislation, which gives religious bodies an option to decline to perform same-sex ceremonies.
Read more at http://www.ryot.org/uk-approves-same-sex-marriage-bill/68870#WXLLblABD9xTzjjm.99

The Scottish Govt said passing the same-sex marriage bill was an important step for equal rights and paved the way for same-sex wedding ceremonies

Scotland Health Secretary Alex Neil said it was "right that same sex couples should be able to freely express their love and commitment to each other through getting married".
"Marriage is about love, and that has always been at the heart of this issue''

Gay campaigners said the vote was a milestone for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in Scotland and welcomed the Scottish government's efforts to advance the approval from an expected time frame of 2015

The move was opposed by the Scottish Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland but the law will not compel religious institutions to hold ceremonies on their premises.

Under the law, civil marriage ceremonies can take place in any place agreed between the couple and the registrar, other than religious premises.