Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2012 ranks the best employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff, from which the seven top Scottish employers have been extracted.

Clydesdale Bank won Scottish Network Group of the Year.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is named as the most improved Scottish employer.

Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index is drawn up from a staff satisfaction survey of over 7,500 lesbian, gay and bisexual employees and other indicators.

Barclays rose from tenth place to third in the overall UK rankings this year, behind the Home Office and Ernst & Young and has now been named the top Scottish employer.

Lloyds Banking Group came 18th overall, RBS was 45th and Clydesdale 67th.

Colin Macfarlane, Director of Stonewall Scotland said: “We’re delighted that seven Scottish organisations made the top 100 guide of best gay-friendly employers in Britain.

“In a labour market when competition for talent is stronger than ever before, the top Scottish employers featured in our guide have recognised the importance of sending a clear signal to staff, customers and to service users that they recognise that people perform better when they can be themselves. At a time when we need to ensure that Scotland utilises all its talent to ensure a strong and viable economy this has never been more important.”

Mark McLane, Managing Director, Head of Global Diversity and Inclusion, Barclays, said: “This recognition continues to affirm Barclays commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our partnership with Stonewall has been a vital enabler for our Spectrum Diversity Network in providing the resources essential in positioning Barclays as an employer of choice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and ally community.”

Antony Jenkins, Chief Executive of Barclays Retail and Business Banking, added: “I firmly believe that we can only build a great business if we have talented people from all backgrounds contributing to our team at Barclays. That is why I’m thrilled that Stonewall has recognised our inclusive working environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual people; and that we have been rated as the top financial services company in the UK.”

Organisers have called for supporters to bring a positive attitude to the event to show the government their passion for equality.

The Love Equally March is being promoted by the Scottish Youth Parliament, the Equality Network, LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland and NUS Scotland.

Grant Costello MSYP, SYP Chair said: “All the evidence shows the majority of Scots support marriage equality, and the historic response to the Government’s consultation on same sex marriage demonstrates they are prepared to speak out for equality.

“Scotland’s young people are determined that the consultation is not the end, but just the beginning of the journey to a better nation with equality at its heart. We need all those supporters of marriage equality to march with us, be our Valentines and Love Equally on February 14th!”

Nathan Sparling, NUS Scotland LGBT Officer, said: “This Valentine’s Day, students from across Scotland will be taking part in the Love Equally march to show our unwavering support for Equal Marriage in Scotland. We’ll be marching on the streets of Edinburgh celebrating love, and asking for the Scottish Government to give us another reason to celebrate by making same-sex marriage legal in Scotland.”

Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said; “We know that the majority of Scots support full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, but we cannot afford to just sit back and assume our politicians will lift the ban on same-sex marriage.

“Our opponents are running a well-funded campaign to pressure the Scottish Government to ditch their proposals, so it is vital that everyone who supports equal marriage speaks out. We urge equal marriage supporters to turn out for the Love Equally march on Valentines day and make our voice heard.”

Marchers will assemble at 2:30pm in Bristo Square and walk to the Scottish Parliament, arriving at 3.45pm. A Facebook event page can be found here.

A range of supporters for marriage equality will address the rally outside the Scottish Parliament.

Returning its verdict in Glasgow today, the jury rejected Roy’s argument that he was suffering from an undiagnosed personality disorder.

Roy had admitted causing the death of the gay schoolboy, who was found with 20 stab wounds and his throat cut in woodland over a year ago, but denied full responsibility for his actions.

Now 19, Roy said he had no memory of the attack itself.

A picture of the complicated relationship between Roy and Frew emerged during the trial.

The teenagers had been schoolmates at East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire.

Psychiatrist Dr Rajan Darjee told the court Roy had admitted having a sexual encounter with the murdered teen in January 2010.

The court previously heard Roy’s claim that he saw Frew as a threat to his new relationship, describing him as a “sex pest.”

The court had heard that Roy and Jack Frew met in woods on 6 May 2010 at the murdered teenager’s request.

Roy was said to have been concerned Frew, then 16, would tell his boyfriend about their sexual encounters and brought a knife to the meeting.

He told a psychiatrist Frew had exposed himself, but thereafter his memory failed.

Roy’s boyfriend Christopher Hannah, 20, a student at Glasgow Caledonian University, was the first person to arrive at the scene after being called by Roy.

The jury less than two hours to reach its verdict.

The BBC reported Jack Frew’s father saying Roy should “rot in hell”.

Roy will be sentenced on 1 March. Though he faces a mandatory life sentence, the minimum term he must spend in custody is yet to be determined.

400 people attended the reception after all opposition party leaders signed up to the Equal Marriage Pledge.

The Scottish government, led by the Scottish National Party, concluded public consultation on equal marriage on 9 December. It was the government’s largest ever public consultation, with over 50,000 responses.

It will now analyse the feedback and publish their response in spring along with a draft bill, which will be open for expert consultation and voting by mid-2013, expected to pass as law by the end of 2013.

“This is the last piece of devolved legislation in Scotland that needs to be changed to introduce full equality for LGBT people in the law,” declared Hopkins.

This is in contrast to England and Wales, where the consultation process will only start in March this year.

Westminster “might move ahead at the same time scale as in Scotland, but if it doesn’t, the fact that it goes here will help campaigners in the rest of the UK” speculated Hopkins.

Speaking with PinkNews.co.uk, out bisexual MSP Patrick Harvie, leader of the Green party stated: “This is a real opportunity to shift the argument not just here but in the rest of the UK. If we are to move on this quickly Westminster will be prompted to move on this issue faster”.

Opinion polls suggest a majority of Scots support equal marriage, including the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2010 which indicated 61% support versus 19% opposition. This included a majority of respondents following all the major faiths and political parties in Scotland.

Over 400 people attend the reception in support of same-sex marriage. The event, the biggest since the parliament was established, was hosted by leading MSPs from all five parties and was attended by guests including leading politicians, faith leaders, same-sex couples, trade unionists, and youth and student representatives.

Speaking with PinkNews.co.uk, Rae Cahill MSYP, Deputy Chair, Scottish Youth Parliament said: “Our consultation showed that young people (16-25 years old) in Scotland overwhelmingly support marriage equality, the figures were 74%. Young people insist that full equality is right for Scotland, it is the future for this country and ourselves.”

Out gay MSP Joe FitzPatrick, member of the SNP, told PinkNews.co.uk: “This is not just about marriage, its about equality, its about the Scotland we want people to live in. I want to live in Scotland that treats everyone in respect. We can be a beacon of progressive policy.”

Tim Hopkins continued: “This is a broad campaign supported across the country. There are many religious groups, the Unitarian Church, the Quakers, the Humanists (who conduct the second largest amount of marriages after the Church of Scotland) and many others in Scotland who unanimously support same-sex marriage.

“Many religious groups who want to conduct same-sex marriage should be to have the freedom to do so. Equality means equality, marriage should also be a religious ceremony.”

Joan Cook of the Unitarian Church said: “The Unitarians do not discriminate in any way LGBT people, many of our Ministers and office bearers are openly members of the LGBT community, including our current President, the Rev. Dr. Ann Peart.

“We have been conducting same-sex blessings, in our churches and elsewhere, for decades now, and look forward to solemnising same-sex marriages.”

Rabbi Mark L. Solomon, from Liberal Judaism said: “It isn’t just that if we as LGBT people are equal in the full real sense, our life will get better. We know that, we feel it deeply.

“But now we see marriage as a free and loving mutual commitment between equals, marriage has got better and we want to make it better still.

“It was feminism that set me free to come out as a gay man. I always believed that gay rights are the logical ethical offspring of women’s rights. And now the possibility that we can encourage two women or two men to be married, would mean not only that we are truly equal but the marriage itself is a relationship of true and full equality.”

The question of marriage equality will also affect transgender people.

Pietà and Susie Schofield, married as a husband and wife for over 25 years with three children, have been hitting a brick wall due to marriage inequality.

Pietà, a transgender woman, and Susie were told that if they wished to have their relationship recognised by law as between two women, they would to divorce and go through a civil partnership.

With the introduction of marriage equality they will simply be able to continue their marriage as a same-sex couple.

“Right now, a transgender man can marry a woman legally, so marriage equality will not merely solve our problem but also end inequality for all transgender people,” they explained.

Tim Hopkins said: “We can’t just sit back and wait for it to happen. There are strong bodies campaigning against marriage equality, including large religious bodies who have the ears of the media and a lot more funds than we have. It is really important for everybody to continue campaigning on this issue and state that there is majority support for equality across Scotland.”

The heads of the Scottish Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties backed the Equal Marriage Pledge, which aims to lift the ban on gay marriage and straight civil partnerships in Scotland.

Johann Lamont MSP, Ruth Davidson MSP, Willie Rennie MSP and Patrick Harvie MSP jointly signed the Equality Network document at Holyrood yesterday afternoon.

The Scottish Parliament of 129 seats is made up of 69 Scottish National Party members and opposition, 59 opposition party members and one independent MSP.

Following the move, over 400 people attended an Equality Network reception in the Scottish Parliament.

Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “We are delighted that leading politicians from across the political spectrum have united for Equal Marriage. We know that a majority of Scots back full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, as highlighted by the huge turnout at tonight’s reception.

“We agree with Alex Salmond’s ambition to make Scotland a progressive beacon. The principles of equality, and freedom of religion, are surely integral to that. With the support of all opposition leaders, and a clear majority of the public, the Scottish Government now have all the backing they need to move forward with legislation.”

Launching the consultation on gay marriage last year, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the SNP government was minded towards equal marriage.

In April, First Minister Alex Salmond, announced his personal support for same-sex marriage, saying: “If a denomination is prepared to accept gay marriage then I’m in favour of it, yes. My personal feeling would be to tend towards it. But we’ll put it out to consultation.”

The Equality Network has said it recognises the government may not be able to sign the pledge until consultation results are announced in the spring.

Johann Lamont MSP, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, said: “I believe that the public witness and celebration of same-sex relationships afforded by civil partnerships and the legal rights created have played an important role in changing attitudes to LGBT people. I support the campaign for Equal Marriage and legislation which would allow religious bodies to conduct same-sex marriages should they wish to do so.”

Ruth Davidson MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, said: “I support the Equality Network’s Equal Marriage campaign. It seeks a more equal society while recognising that religious organisations which do not wish to carry out ceremonies should not be compelled to do so. The Scottish Government will bring forward legislation on gay marriage in this parliament and I want to ensure we have a workable way of advancing this issue for the people of Scotland.”

Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said; “I want Scotland to be one of the most fair and progressive places in the world. Extending marriage equality to all is a really important part of that. The Equality Network should be congratulated on the fantastic job they have done highlighting the importance of this campaign. I am looking forward to working constructively with the all the groups involved who want to see this change in Scotland as we enter the next stage of the debate.”

Patrick Harvie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Green Party, said; “It’s really encouraging to see so much support for Equal Marriage both inside Parliament and outside, and all that’s needed is for the Government to come forward with the legislation.

“I’m convinced that when MSPs have the chance to vote on this, Scotland will once again set the pace of change for the rest of the UK by backing equality for same-sex couples. This is a vital signal about the kind of progressive society that Scotland wants to be in the 21st century.”

The Scottish Government public consultation on same-sex marriage closed on the 9 Dec, attracting over 50,000 responses. The consultation responses are currently being analysed and the Government is expected to make a decision on whether to take forward legislation soon.

Opinion polls suggest most Scots support the move. The Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2010 indicated 61% support and 19% opposition to marriage equality.

The high court in Glasgow heard from a psychiatrist that Mr Roy, 19, became furious because the deceased, Mr Frew, had exposed himself just before the incident took place at East Kilbride in May 2010, The BBC reported.

The schoolboy, the court heard previously, was found with 20 stab wounds, and his throat cut.

Psychiatrist Dr Rajan Darjee told the high court in Glasgow that Mr Roy said he had a sexual encounter with Mr Frew in January 2010, and was worried that his boyfriend, Christopher Hannah, would find out.

The court previously heard Mr Roy claim that he saw Mr Frew as a threat to his relationship with Mr Hannah, and that described him as a “sex pest.”

Dr Darjee said Mr Roy told him he had no memory of the events between producing the knife, and seeing Mr Frew lying, bleeding, on the floor.

The psychiatrist told the court: “Although he accepts it was him that killed Jack Frew he hasn’t any recollection of the incident.”

The accused, Mr Roy, has admitted stabbing Jack Frew, but denies murdering him.

Dr Darjee was asked by prosecutor Jennifer Bain whether Mr Roy qualified for a personality disorder, to which he said: “Mr Roy does not meet the criteria for personality disorder.

“There is evidence of some personality traits, but we all have some traits.”

He also said, with regards to the incident, that Mr Roy “struggles to accept he might act that way towards another person. He feels disgusted with himself.”

The trial continues.

The petition titled ‘Preserving Marriage’ was submitted to the Scottish Parliament by Amy King, and claims that same-sex couples should not have equal rights to marry because of “poor social outcomes for homosexual adults” including “higher rates of domestic violence, suicide, STDs, and mental illness.”

King writes: “Marriage should not be redefined for the whole of society given the tiny percentage of society actually affected by the issue.”

She argues that if equal marriage is introduced, Scottish society could then be subject to the “sexual chaos” of polygamy.

Referring to a “plethora” of studies “too lengthy” to list, referenced in a book called Stand for the Family by Sharon Slater, King says marriage should be reserved for straight couples for the benefit of children.

The petition refers to evidence of the benefits of having married parents and King contends that the “clearly documented poor social outcomes” experienced gays mean they should not be “assumed” to be as capable at parenting as straight people.

The argument bears hallmarks of that employed by the Scottish Catholic Church last year.

The Church argued that, among other reasons to oppose equal marriage, “exceptionally hazardous” gay relationships lead to shorter life expectancies for gays.

An investigation by PinkNews.co.uk revealed the evidence relied on by the Church included a study that had been discredited by its own authors for this purpose ten years ago and a paper written by the founder of the Family Research Institute, which is designated a hate group in the US.

King’s petition was considered by the Public Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament yesterday, who decided to put it on hold.

It had received 2,853 signatures today on an e-petition site, though the Scottish government only requires one signature to trigger a debate.

The Public Petitions Committee in Holyrood confirmed today the petition was to be put on hold until the Scottish government publishes the results of its gay marriage consultation.

In response to the petition, Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network said; “The derogatory views expressed in this petition are outdated, inaccurate and homophobic. If similar claims were made on the basis of race they would rightly be condemned as racist, and I have no doubt that most people will find such claims against LGBT people equally appalling.”

“We welcome Scottish Government proposals to lift the ban on same-sex marriage. For us this is a simple issue of love and equality. We believe that loving same-sex couples are entitled to equal treatment under the law and in society.”

The Scottish Government public consultation on same-sex marriage closed on 9 December. Over 70,000 responses were received, making it the biggest consultation since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999. The Government is expected to announce its intentions once the consultation analysis is published in May.

Video footage of the Public Petitions Committee can be seen on the Scottish government’s website here.

The court also heard Dr Shetty say that Mr Roy admitted having a brief relationship with Mr Frew, and that he saw him as a threat to his new relationship with Christopher Hannah.

He said that Mr Roy had shown no signs of mental or personality disorders during his assessment, other than some anger management issues, the BBC reports.

Dr Shetty also said that Mr Roy told him that he only took the knife to intimidate the schoolboy who had sent him explicit text messages, and that he has no memory of the incident itself.

Mr Roy, the court heard, was also sad about the impact Mr Frew’s death would have on his family.

19-year-old Roy admitted stabbing the 16-year-old schoolboy, but denied murdering him. The court last week also heard allegations of blackmail from Mr Roy.

The trial continues.

Edinburgh is twinned with the Russian city, whose lawmakers passed an initial vote on a “gay propaganda” law last year by 27 to 1.

Amid international condemnation, a further vote on the bill, which threatens the voice of the city’s gay community, was postponed in November.

Now Amnesty International Scotland and the Equality Network are among those asking Edinburgh’s Lord Provost to use his diplomatic power to urge authorities in Russia’s second largest city to throw it out completely.

The position is equivalent to that of a mayor in many towns and cities.

Nearly a quarter of a million people signed a petition in December calling on world leaders to hold Russia to account for the law.

Amnesty International Scotland, Equality Network, Scottish Youth Parliament and NUS Scotland LGBT have all called on the Scottish capital’s figurehead, whose position is broadly similar to that of a mayor.

If enacted, the St Petersburg law would allow the authorities to impose fines of up to the equivalent of £1,000 for “public actions aimed at propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality, and transgenderism among minors.”

Commentators say it would rule out nearly all public events carried out by or on behalf of gays and LGBT organisations.

Shabnum Mustapha, Amnesty International’s Programme Director in Scotland, said: “Throughout Russia, we have witnessed a clampdown on freedom of expression of LGBTI individuals, NGOs and activists.

“There has been harassment, intimidation and interference with gay prides and other public events; as well physical violence and the detention of peaceful demonstrators by the police. To seek to ‘legitimise’ this discrimination and oppression of the LGBTI community through legislation is appalling.”

Nathan Sparkling, NUS Scotland’s LGBT Officer, said: “Legislation such as this will only further marginalise LGBTI people and must be stopped – in St Petersburg and throughout Russia. The notion that Russia’s youth are somehow being converted through ‘propoganda’ would be laughable if the repercussions weren’t so dangerous.”

Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “The twinning of St Petersburg and Edinburgh provides the Lord Provost with a legitimate platform from which to raise grave concerns about the treatment of the LGBTI community and to call on the Governor of St Petersburg to oppose the legislation.

“Failure to do so would be tantamount to condoning this draconian and extremely harmful legislation.”

Grant Costello, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “The Scottish Youth Parliament hope that Edinburgh City Council encourages all of the city’s international partners and friends from around the world to acknowledge the importance of fairness and equality in civic society.”

The Lord Provost’s office declined to comment on the request when contacted by PinkNews.co.uk today.

Edinburgh is also twinned with Florence (in Italy), Dunedin (New Zealand), Nice (France), Krakow (Poland), San Diego (USA), Aalborg (Denmark), Kiev (Ukraine), Kyoto (Japan), Xi’an (China), Vancouver (Canada), and Munich (Germany).

The defence counsel for the 19-year old said there is no question that he stabbed Jack Frew, but Mr Roy has denied murdering him.

In a police statement, Mr Roy’s sister Robyn said her brother admitted to her he had “slit Jack’s throat.”

The statement also said: “I asked him why he done it and he said ‘He’s being blackmailing me. It was only meant to be a threat.’

“He said Jack had been pestering and annoying him for over a year.

“He said he had slept with Jack once and that Jack kept asking for sex ever since and was blackmailing him.”.

The BBC reports that when asked about this statement in court, Ms Roy retracted part of it, saying her brother later denied he had slept with Jack Frew.

On cross-examination, Ms Roy said her brother “didn’t know what he was saying and was pretty hysterical” during the telephone conversation after the alleged incident.

A friend of Frew’s, Calum Chisholm, told the court that he and Jack were in contact by SMS just before the alleged incident took place.

Mr Chisholm, 19, had formerly been in a relationship with Jack Frew for around a year.

He said he received a text message from him on the day of his death saying: “Ha, ha! Well Craig Roy wants to meet me later. Threesome?”, followed by one reading: “Meeting behind the church the now if you want to join.”

PC Neil Clark said when Craig Roy was having a cut on his hand treated at hospital after the death was discovered, he told the police officer: “He was bribing me for sexual pleasures, but I know that’s no excuse for what I’ve done.”

The mother of the defendant, Fern Roy, 46, said her son was acting normally that afternoon.

But later, Christoher Hannah, 20, her son’s boyfriend, called her saying her son had hurt someone.

Mrs Roy said her son had had never had behavioural problems, and that she had not noticed any strange behaviour in the months leading up to the incident.

Mr Roy had come out at 14. His mother told the court: “He just came out and said he was gay. I was a bit surprised because he liked girls, but it didn’t bother me.”

Chris Hannah, 20, and a student at Glasgow Caledonian University, was the first person to arrive at the scene, after being called by Mr Roy, and called the emergency services.

Mr Hannah described Mr Frew as flirtatious and claimed that he had sent him flirty texts and emails, after saying that they all used to meet at a skate park in the area.

When asked about the contact between Mr Roy and Mr Frew before the incident, he said: “I did not particularly like that. I sent him an angry text message to leave Craig alone.”

The court was played the 999 call made by Mr Hannah, where he is heard sobbing and referring to Mr Frew: “Someone’s murdered him. His throat’s slit.”

When asked if he knew who slit Mr Frew’s throat, he said: “My boyfriend did it.”

Mr Hannah said he had not been welcomed by Mr Roy’s family. He claimed that Mr Roy’s mother thought he “made her son gay with [his] mind control”.

Earlier in the trial, a juror at the trial was discharged, after it transpired that he knew one of the witnesses.

The jury is made up of 14 people – 9 women and and 5 men, and the trial is before Lord Doherty.

The case continues.

It relied on a study discredited by its own authors for this purpose ten years ago and a paper authored by the founder of the Family Research Institute, which is designated a “hate group” in the US.

At an anti-gay marriage rally for Scotland for Marriage in November, Cardinal O’Brien, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland said: “At the heart of this debate [...] there is one perspective which seems to be completely lost or ignored, it is the point of view of the child.

“All children deserve to begin life with a mother and father, the evidence in favour of the stability and well being which this provides is overwhelming and unequivocal.”

At the time, PinkNews.co.uk asked the Scottish Catholic Media Office, the press service of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, to substantiate its claim of “overwhelming evidence”.

In response, the Church provided a 2005 report by the Institute for American Values in New York, which makes 26 conclusions about the importance of marriage in modern society, along with two scientific studies which, it says, show gay people to have “unstable” and “medically exceptionally hazardous” relationships.

None of the conclusions in the Institute for American Values report are obviously inapplicable to same-sex marriages, an issue it does not explicitly address.

But the Church spokesperson said there is “much research on reduced lifespan among homosexuals” and offered two studies as examples.

The first, “Modeling the impact of HIV Disease on Mortality in Gay and Bisexual Men”, by Robert Hogg et al., was published in 1997 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

Using data it collected from 1987 to 1992, it determined the life expectancy of gay men in a Canadian city at that time to be up to 20 years shorter than the average for all men.

But in 2001, the study authors said the findings should not be used to infer anything about gay men’s life expectancy in general outside that 5-year period.

The statement came after they were told the paper was being used for political purposes.

They wrote in the same journal: “From these reports it appears that our research is being used by select groups in US and Finland to suggest that gay and bisexual men live an unhealthy lifestyle that is destructive to themselves and to others.

“These homophobic groups appear more interested in restricting the human rights of gay and bisexuals rather than promoting their health and well being.

“The aim of our research was never to spread more homophobia, but to demonstrate to an international audience how the life expectancy of gay and bisexual men can be estimated from limited vital statistics data.”

The findings, according to Hogg et al., would not have been accurate even ten years ago due to the speed of advances in medical care for those living with HIV.

They said: “If we were to repeat this analysis today [in 2001] the life expectancy of gay and bisexual men would be greatly improved. Deaths from HIV infection have declined dramatically in this population since 1996.”

According to research in the British Medical Journal, a person living with HIV who begins treatment with a CD4 count of 350 cells/mm3 can expect to live to 75 years of age, compared with the UN’s figure of 79.4 years for all UK citizens at birth.

The 1997 study authors concluded: “The aim of our work was to assist health planners with the means of estimating the impact of HIV infection on groups, like gay and bisexual men, not necessarily captured by vital statistics data and not to hinder the rights of these groups worldwide.

“Overall, we do not condone the use of our research in a manner that restricts the political or human rights of gay and bisexual men or any other group.”

The second piece of research, “Does Homosexual Activity Shorten Life?”, was authored by Paul Cameron, founder of the Family Research Institute, and published in Psychological Reports, a journal which reportedly charges authors to publish their work.

The mission statement of the Family Research Institute, which Cameron founded as the Institute for the Scientific Investigation of Sexuality and still runs, is “to generate empirical research on issues that threaten the traditional family, particularly homosexuality, AIDS, sexual social policy, and drug abuse.”

It is officially classed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center alongside the Westboro Baptist Church.

The Church spokesperson told PinkNews.co.uk the 1998 study shows “homosexual activity may be associated with a lifespan shortened by 20 to 30 years”.

Cameron’s scientific work has been heavily criticised. The American Psychological Association, the American Sociological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association have all officially distanced themselves from him.

In 2010, he released a study which said gays in the military were four to seven times more likely to rape a fellow serviceman than straight men were to rape servicewomen.

The Church spokesperson told PinkNews.co.uk many “pro homosexual campaigners” believe Cameron’s methodology is “at best unsound”.

But appearing to compare homosexuality to an addiction to tobacco, he added: “The (US) National Cancer Institute says smoking takes from 7 to 10 years off someone’s life, smoking advocates have also questioned the methodology involved.”

Cameron was tricked into appearing in the 2009 ‘mockumentary’ Brüno by Sacha Baron Cohen, in which he gave the title character advice on how he may be able to turn straight by suggesting he give women “a chance to seduce [him]“.

The Scottish Roman Catholic Church helped deliver 20,000 postcards to the Scottish Parliament last month in opposition to proposals which would allow gay couples the right to marry, and have taken out adverts publicly opposing the move.

The Church spokesperson concluded: “Christians should always be driven by compassion and love for their fellow human beings and as a result try to urge them away from the path they are on and encourage society away from facilitating any type of hazardous behaviour not because we DON’T care for them, but precisely because we DO.

“Christians’ concern therefore should be at a far deeper level than the thoughtless ‘do as you please’ platitudes of the politically correct secular humanists.”

Over 400 students’ letters in favour of marriage equality were delivered by the Liberal Democrats’ youth wing, Liberal Youth Scotland, to their Members of Parliament after the public consultation on the issue ended last week, with a total of 50,000 responses.

LYS President Sophie Bridger said: “Everyone should have the right to marry the person they love. It’s a matter of simple human fairness.

“The hundreds of young people who’ve joined our campaign to write to MSPs show that the future is bright for LGBT people in Scotland.

“MSPs need to show courage in the face of scaremongering and stand up for what’s right.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Will Rennie congratulated the campaign, saying: “I want Scotland to be one of the most fair and progressive places in the world. Extending marriage equality to all is a really important part of that.

“I look forward to working constructively with the all the groups involved who want to see this change in Scotland as we enter the next stage of the debate.”

But meanwhile, the Edinburgh Evening News reports that some gay marriage supporters have been alarmed to see their names on the opposing side’s petitions.

Scotland for Marriage has so far collected 9,000 signatures during its online campaign.

But 27 students said their names were added to the list, without their knowledge, apparently from the same computer.

The movement, which opposes the extension of marriage rights to gays, said it had been targeted by “malicious individuals” who uploaded “obscene names, anti-Roman Catholic sentiment, pretty nasty stuff”, and that it would remove the names of people who had been signed up without their permission.

However, one student said the petition had been “totally discredited” and should be ignored.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s 70 largest evangelical churches will deliver a letter to Alex Salmond today opposing equal marriage rights for gay couples.

The Human Rights Commission is challenging laws which it argues are incompatible with those in England, Wales and Scotland, and do not protect the interests of the child in question.

A judicial review of the legislation is being applied for after an historic House of Lords decision in 2008.

In that case, it was held that a man should not be barred from applying to adopt his female partner’s daughter on the basis that they were not married.

Monye Anyadike-Danes QC said: “Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom which provides a gateway for adoption through which only couples who are married may pass.”

Making opening arguments yesterday, the BBC reports Ms Anyadike-Danes saying the challenge is focused on ensuring gay and unmarried couples are not automatically excluded at the first stage of the adoption process.

Instead, their ability to provide “a nurturing and loving and permanent home” should be assessed in the same way as straight couples.

She added: “The current state of the law, we say, is not something that has been established to be in the best interest of the child.

“We consider the status quo, as it impacts on all unmarried couples, to be discriminatory.”

The hearing, which began on Monday, is expected to last three days.

Speaking on a BBC Radio Scotland ‘Call Kaye’ discussion on Friday, the Reverend James Gracie, a minister of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), said being gay was a “lifestyle choice”.

He said: “If the homosexuals, and these people, want to be treated equally, then what about paedophiles? What about polygamy?”

Another guest, Tom French of the Equality Network, disagreed but Mr Gracie replied: “Even if you were to take that view, there are people who steal, people have tendencies for all sorts of things.”

Mr French, a policy coordinator for the Equality Network, said in a statement: “It is disappointing that the opponents of equal marriage are comparing loving same-sex couples to paedophiles, polygamists and thieves in an increasingly desperate effort to persuade the Scottish government to ditch their proposals to legalise same-sex marriage.

“Most people will be appalled by these comments.”

Speaking later to the Scotsman, Mr Gracie said: “I don’t think I need to apologise or clarify.
“But I have my view the same as a homosexual would have his view. I’m not homophobic. If I was to go down the street and saw a man say to a homosexual ‘you are a queer’, I would go into court and be a witness for him.

“If I’ve unnecessarily offended someone then I do apologise, but I’m not going to back off from holding my views.”

Following the radio show, he joined a demonstration against gay marriage outside the Scottish parliament, where protesters were warned by police that their leaflets were offensive.

SNP (Scottish National Party) ministers support the move but some in the party oppose allowing gay couples to marry. A ‘rainbow coalition’ of groups including The Equality Network, Amnesty International, Unison and the Humanist Society of Scotland all filed submissions supporting changing the law.

Like the rest of the United Kingdom, gay couples in Scotland may enter into civil partnerships that offer most of the benefits of marriage but there are subtle differences.

But a change in the law is opposed by most major religious organisations in the country including both the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland Cardinal O’Brien said: “As an institution, marriage long predates the existence of any state or government. It was not created by government and should not be changed by them.

“Instead, recognising the innumerable benefits which marriage brings to society they should act to protect and uphold it not attack or dismantle it.

“At the heart of this debate however there is one perspective which seems to be completely lost or ignored, it is the point of view of the child.

“All children deserve to begin life with a mother and father, the evidence in favour of the stability and well being which this provides is overwhelming and unequivocal.”

The religious opposition comes despite a pledge by the SNP government that no religious community would be forced to hold gay marriages against their will.
The deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said while the government would consider all views, she and her colleagues “tended towards the initial view” that gay marriages should be introduced.

The Church’s General Synod has said it is currently bound by the canons which define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The response states that it is possible for its canons to be changed by consultation within the Church, but that it was not possible to have a “full debate” in the timeframe of the consultation.

In October, the Church’s head, The Most Rev David Chillingworth, said there was a possibility of it “changing [the] canonical definition of marriage”.

He wrote: “Jesus did not call the church into being as a citadel of orthodoxy. He was constantly criticised because he spent time with people who didn’t fit the conventional patterns and were deemed unacceptable by others.”

In the official response announcement, the Rt Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness, who convened the working group for the consultation, said the wording of the current rules was “clear”.

“The Church’s current position is that marriage is a union between a man and a woman and this clarity allows us the space to listen to the many differing views held by the members of our Church.

“The general issues raised by the consultation document are matters which are already the subject of ongoing discussion within both the Anglican and Porvoo Communions, and in which the Scottish Episcopal Church plays its part.

“Our written submission is offered in the knowledge of these ongoing discussions, it is placed within the Government’s time frame and has therefore sought to indicate our canonical position without pre-empting any debate we as a Church are or could be engaged in.”

Both the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland and the Church of Scotland oppose the extension of marriage rights.

Online consultation responses can still be filed by members of the public until it closes on Friday.

The Equality Network was joined at a conference in Edinburgh by the Scottish Youth Parliament, Amnesty International, UNISON, the Humanist Society of Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and NUS Scotland.

Last week, a similar coalition was launched by the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland to oppose equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

This morning, campaigners from the groups will hand over 18,000 consultation responses to the Scottish Government in support of plans to allow gay couples to marry.

Online consultation responses can still be filed by members of the public until it closes on Friday.

Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “Today we have seen a rainbow coalition of organisations from across Scottish society voice their strong support for equal marriage.

“It is increasingly clear that the vast majority of Scots support same-sex marriage. For most people this is a simple issue of love, equality and fairness. If a same-sex couple love each other and want to get married, then why should they be banned from doing so?

“There can be no excuse for continuing to deny same-sex couples equality under the law. We hope the Scottish Government will listen to what is being said, stand by its values and legislate for equal marriage.”

Shabnum Mustapha, Scotland Director of Amnesty International, said: “Amnesty International fully supports the Equal Marriage campaign. We believe that from a human rights perspective, the Scottish Government’s proposals deliver equal rights for same-sex couples, whilst promoting and extending the right to religious freedom.

“Amnesty has a strong history of standing up for and supporting the rights of the LGBT communities around the world. In too many countries LGBT people still face discrimination and persecution, that ranges from ill-treatment and violence to execution, imprisonment and torture.

“We believe the Scottish Government’s proposals will proudly place Scotland at the forefront of promoting equality and human rights for LGBT people nationally as well as internationally.”

The Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2010 indicated 61% of the population supports the proposal of extending marriage rights to gay couples.

Nathan Sparling, the National Union of Students’ Scotland LGBT Officer, said: “It’s events like this which show the broad support that exists for same-sex marriages in Scotland today.

“The support shown by students, young people, religious groups and the public to give a basic right to those who wish to marry the person they love has been overwhelming.

“The community has come together to say yes, and I hope the Scottish Government maintains its position, so we’ll see true equality in Scotland in the near future.”

The Equality Network is calling for equal marriage supporters to have their say in the government’s public consultation on extending marriage rights to gay couples before Friday’s deadline.

Respondents do not have to be Scottish to express their opinion on the issue; the group can forward views from other countries in the UK and the world, which will then be looked at separately by the government.

They say the decision taken by the government will have a important effect on how Scotland is perceived abroad, and overseas views should be taken into account.

So far, the group has received around 15,000 messages through their website, but they are keen to boost the volume and diversity of responses in support of equal marriage rights.

Last week, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland attended the launch of a new anti-gay marriage coalition outside the Scottish Parliament, delivering 20,000 postcards signed by people who oppose expanding the definition of marriage to include gay couples.

Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “With just days before the Scottish Government’s equal marriage consultation closes, it is vital that as many people as possible make their voice heard and respond.

“Never before have so many people spoken out on an LGBT equality issue. But we also know that the opponents of equality are running a well-funded campaign and will do everything they can to stop the Scottish Government lifting the ban on same-sex marriage.

“They have already spent tens of thousands on adverts and publicity materials, and claim to have collected 20,000 responses opposing equal marriage.

“We know that the silent majority support equality, so now is the time to speak up.”

Opinion polls suggest a majority of Scots support equal marriage. The Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2010 indicated 61% support versus 19% opposition. This included a majority of respondents following all the major faiths and political parties in Scotland.

Responses can be filed online through the Equality Network’s Equal Marriage campaign website.

In its statement, the Church said it has “a responsibility to shape public opinion in accordance with what it understands to be the will of God.”

9% of Scotland’s population are pledged members of the Church, and a further 33% claim some allegiance to the denomination.

It says: “The Government’s proposal fundamentally changes marriage as it is understood in our country and our culture – that it is a relationship between one man and one woman.”

Extending marriage rights to gay couples may have “significant and, as yet, inadequately considered repercussions for our country, for the well-being of families, communities and individuals”.

The Church says it believes “much more measured consideration is required” before the “understanding of marriage is surrendered” to accommodate the “wishes of some same-sex couples”.

It adds that it believes homophobia to be a sin, and it is the “duty of the Church to welcome, reach out to and minister to all, regardless of sexual orientation and practice”.

The denomination said it had a “strong pastoral commitment to all people in Scotland, regardless of sexual orientation or beliefs”.

The Church adds that it “cannot agree to the Government’s proposal that legislation should be changed so that civil partnerships may be registered through religious ceremonies or by religious celebrants or on religious premises.

“However, it acknowledges and respects that other religious groups may wish to express different views.”

The Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Will Rennie MSP said he was “disappointed” by the Church’s official response on gay marriage.

He said: “If two people want to get married and a church wants to conduct the service why should anyone stop them?

“I find it difficult to fathom why the Church of Scotland seeks to impose its view on the whole of society when we do not seek to impose our views on it.”

Yesterday, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland helped launch a new coalition which opposes the introduction of equal marriage rights.

Around 16% of Scotland’s population are Roman Catholic, according to the 2001 census.

Barry McCluskey, 39, admitted that, over the course of three years, he tricked young girls into performing sex acts over a webcam, pretending to be a lesbian or bisexual.

The BBC reports that he would pose as a girl called Clare or Missy and use a fake profile picture on Bebo or messaging services.

Alison Di Rollo, prosecuting, said: “Those who were, or became reluctant, he would ask to do more – telling them if they did not, he may have to forward the video they had already done to friends.”

After police were alerted by one girl’s mother, McCluskey was found on the city’s Erskine Bridge, saying he had “done something bad”.

Presiding judge Rita Rae QC said: “Very cleverly, you manipulated and tricked your way into the homes, bedrooms and minds of the children that you specifically targeted.”

“The risk is that vulnerable young children may end up in a position where they are forced to carry out acts which bring them pain and which has the effect of heaping upon them feelings of guilt, shame, degradation and humiliation.”

10,000 indecent images of children were found on McCluskey’s computers.

The Government’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre provides resources including the ThinkUKnow website to advise and support young people online, offering information on who young people should speak to if they are concerned.

A spokesman said: “In the same way children should be cautious of unwanted approaches from strangers in the real world they should also be careful if approached in the online world.

“The anonymity of the internet can encourage children and young people to take risks or act in a way they would not in the real world.”