Parliamentary motion from John Mason submitted in August 2011:

S4M-00586  John Mason: the Equal Marriage Debate - That the Parliament notes the current discussion about same-sex marriages and the Scottish Government’s forthcoming public consultation concerning equal marriage; further notes that while some in society approve of same-sex sexual relationships, others do not agree with them; desires [*] that Scotland should be a pluralistic society where all minorities can live together in peace and mutual tolerance; believes that free speech is a fundamental right and that even when there is disagreement with another person’s views, that person has the right to express these views, and considers that no person or organisation should be forced to be involved in or to approve of same-sex marriages. 

Supported by: Dennis Robertson, Richard Lyle, Mike MacKenzie.

Patrick Harvie today (3rd August) proposes an amendment to the Equal Marriage Debate – As an amendment to motion S4M-00586 in the name of John Mason, delete all from "desires" [*] to end of motion and replace with:

"notes that the balance between these views has changed substantially over recent decades, with the 2006 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey showing 53% in agreement with equal marriage and only 21% in disagreement, and a poll in 2010 showing 58% support with only 19% against; congratulates the Scottish Youth Parliament on the launch of its Love Equally campaign for equal marriage and civil partnership, a campaign it voted to select after consulting with over 42,000 young people across Scotland; believes that the Scottish Government is recognising this shift in public attitudes with its forthcoming consultation on equal marriage; recognises that allowing same sex marriage and mixed sex civil partnerships would in no way undermine the rights and freedoms of whose who do not wish to participate in them; and further believes it would be both right and popular for secular and religious Scots alike to be free to reach their own view on the legal status that is right for their own relationship, instead of being banned by law from having their relationships recognised on equal terms."

Willie Rennie today (4th August) proposes an amendment to the Equal Marriage Debate

"That the Parliament notes the current discussion about same-sex marriages and looks forward to the Scottish Government’s forthcoming public consultation concerning equal marriage; aspires for Scotland to be one of the most fair and equal places in the world; supports the extension of legal marriage to lesbian and gay couples; and believes that, while there would be no mandate on religious organisations, those religious denominations who wish to celebrate marriages for lesbian and gay people should be free to do so."

Willie Rennie also said: "Mr Mason’s motion adds nothing to the debate on extending marriage to same sex couples in Scotland. All it does is serve to emphasise again the prejudices and intolerance that still exists in Scotland surrounding same sex marriage.

"His bizarre and unnecessary claim that organisations should not be forced into marrying same sex couples misses the whole point of the discussion. Instead we need to be focusing on how we can ensure that those who wish to celebrate same sex marriage are free to do so in a fair and progressive Scotland."

The Scottish Youth Parliament have launched a big campaign for equal marriage, Love Equally - find out more and sign the petition here.

In October 2010

Parliamentary motion from Patrick Harvie (Scottish Parliament: Motions & Amendments, Business Bulletin No. 150/2010: Monday 18 October 2010)

S3M-7222 Patrick Harvie: Equal Marriage, Equal Partnership - That the Parliament welcomes the commitment by Ed Miliband to equalise marriage law for same-sex couples, the recent decision by the Liberal Democrat party conference to back proposals to allow same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnership, the longstanding support of green parties in the UK for this position and the support that has been expressed by a number of SNP and Conservative politicians; believes that this step is necessary not only to ensure equal legal rights irrespective of sexual orientation but also to convey the equal dignity of relationships and the equal respect with which the state recognises relationships; regrets that civil partnership is portrayed by some in society as a lesser level of commitment or recognition, and calls on the Scottish Government to investigate the practical steps necessary to allow legislation in the next session of the Scottish Parliament to create equal marriage and partnership in Scotland.

Supported by: Bill Wilson, Linda Fabiani, George Foulkes, Mike Pringle, Shirley-Anne Somerville

See also: Equal Love campaign

Two public petitions have also been put before the Scottish Parliament:

Petition PE1239: Petition by Nick Henderson, on behalf of LGBT Network, calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 to allow two persons of the same sex to register a civil marriage and a religious marriage if the relevant religious body consents. 

Petition PE1269: Petition by Tom French, on behalf of the Equal Marriage Campaign, calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend legislation to allow same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnership.