One in eight new Scottish marriages are same-sex couples
Since same-sex marriage was introduced in Scotland, one in eight marriages have been between same-sex couples.
There were 3,889 weddings in total between 31st December 2014 and 31st March 2015, with 462 involving same-sex couples.
The number of new marriages rose by 9.6% on the first quarter of 2014 – 304 more.
There were also 20 civil partnerships between 12 male and 8 female couples- 57 less than the same period last year.
Director of Stonewall Scotland, Colin Macfarlane, told the Daily Record: “The fact that nearly 500 same-sex couples have married since January shows just how important equal marriage is to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
“There can be no denying that the policy of equal marriage has been a huge success.”
The National Records of Scotland released the figures, which also showed that the birth rate had dropped by 4.4% to its lowest since 2003, and deaths had risen 18.4% to their highest since 2000.
The Church of Scotland recently voted to allow gay ministers. The Russian Orthodox Church cut ties with them over this move.
The Church of Scotland said: “The Church of Scotland’s position on same-sex unions has been determined by its supreme court, the General Assembly, made up of more than 700 church representatives from all over Scotland.
“We are saddened the Russian Orthodox church has taken this decision. We remain brothers and sisters in Christ.”
