Scottish government urged to “stand firm” on equal marriage decision

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Supporters of equal marriage rights have put pressure on the Scottish government to stand by their policy on equal marriage, following condemnation by the Catholic Church today.

Tom French, policy co-ordinator of the Equality Network said: “It is increasingly clear that the church has an anti-gay agenda that it wants to impose on the rest of society,” The Guardian reported.

“We urge the Scottish government to stand firm on plans to introduce equal marriage and not give in to demands that would discriminate against LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people.”

Cardinal Keith O’Brien had previously broken off talks with the Alex Salmond’s administration over equal-rights, saying:

“The church’s teaching on marriage is unequivocal, it is uniquely the union of a man and a woman and it is wrong that governments, politicians or parliaments should seek to alter or destroy that reality.”

Mr French pointed out the potential danger in the suggestion that the church might take their anti-gay campaign into schools, saying:

“School should be a welcoming environment for all young people, regardless of their sexual orientation or their family situation.”

The Catholic Church in Scotland had declared today ‘National Marriage Sunday’ and had a letter read out in 500 Catholic parishes condemning the Scottish government’s plans to legislate for equal same-sex marriage.

Equal marriage advocates welcomed the Scottish government’s announcement in July that it would bring forward legislation to allow gay couples to marry and remove current barriers for trans people.

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