What's Happening About Gay Marriage in Scotland?

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Gay marriage becomes legal in England and Wales on March 29th.


In Scotland the bill was passed in February with a majority of 87. 


It will make Scotland the 17th country in the world to recognise same-sex marriage in the law.





And...?





The bill should come into force relatively quickly with Scottish MPs (SMPs) aiming to rush it through the Scottish Parliament by the end of the year. Speculation suggests that the first marriages could be celebrated as early as the autumn.

As in England and Wales, there will be protection for religious groups who will have to “opt-in” to perform gay marriages. Both the Catholic Church and the Church in Scotland say they will not be conducting services.

Celebrants will not be allowed to perform ceremonies if their organisation has opted-out of doing so. The law will also protect individual celebrants, not attached to a religion or organisation, from having to officiate a same-sex marriage if they feel uncomfortable doing so.

In Scotland, as elsewhere, the law will also change in favor of trans-gender individuals who will no longer need to divorce in order to recieve a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). 


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