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UK Wedding News

16/12/2014

Gay Marriage Law Comes Into Effect

Scotland's new same-sex marriage laws have come into effect.

From today (16 December), those who are in existing civil partnerships can now apply to convert their union into a marriage. Similarly, other same-sex couples can now also give notice of their intention to marry.

The first gay weddings will take place in Scotland on Hogmanay.

Couples currently in civil partnerships can apply to make the conversion from today, while those wishing to marry need to give the required 15-day notice period. Taking this into account, the first same-sex weddings will take place on 31 December.

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In February of this year, MSPs voted to pass the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill into law. At the time, the Scottish Government said the move was the "right thing" to do, but it has been a controversial issue and was strongly opposed by two of Scotland's main religious groups – the Scottish Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland.

Any religious and belief bodies opposed to the new laws can choose to "opt in" to perform same-sex marriages, with Ministers stressing that no part of the religious community would be forced to hold such ceremonies in their churches.

(JP/CD)

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"Scotland's new same-sex marriage laws have come into effect."