UK Wedding News
13/10/2014
Same-sex couples will be able to marry in Scotland from 31 December, the Scottish Government has announced.
In addition, couples who are in an existing Scottish Civil Partnership, will be able to change their relationship to a marriage from 16 December. The government has said these conversions will be free for the first year of the new legislation.
It is understood the gap between the 16 December and the date given for the first ceremonies to take place, is due to the minimum notice period of 14 clear days required for marriage ceremonies.
Welcoming the announcement, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Alex Neil, said: "It is wonderful that same sex couples can now begin to make plans to have their marriage just as any other couple can.
"This historic legislation had overwhelming support across the Scottish Parliament, demonstrating to the world how importantly Scotland views equality.
"That support means that, from 31 December, same sex couples who want to show their love and commitment to each other could get married in front of family and friends at a ceremony they choose together."
Tom French, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Equality Network, added: "We are very pleased that after years of campaigning for equal marriage it is now just weeks away from becoming a reality. Today's milestone announcement means that same-sex couples across Scotland will be able to set a date and start planning their weddings.
"With the first ceremonies set to take place on Hogmanay, Scotland can be proud that we will bring in the new year as a fairer and more equal country."
The Scottish Parliament voted to pass the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill in February 2014. While the government said the move was the right thing to do, Scotland's two main churches – the Catholic Church and Church of Scotland – are opposed to the new legislation.
The new laws will see religious and belief bodies opting in to perform same-sex marriages, and ministers have said that no part of the religious community would be forced to hold such ceremonies in churches if they do not wish to do so.
(JP/IT)
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Date Set For Scotland's Same-Sex Marriages
Same-sex couples will be able to marry in Scotland from 31 December, the Scottish Government has announced.
In addition, couples who are in an existing Scottish Civil Partnership, will be able to change their relationship to a marriage from 16 December. The government has said these conversions will be free for the first year of the new legislation.
It is understood the gap between the 16 December and the date given for the first ceremonies to take place, is due to the minimum notice period of 14 clear days required for marriage ceremonies.
Welcoming the announcement, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Alex Neil, said: "It is wonderful that same sex couples can now begin to make plans to have their marriage just as any other couple can.
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"This historic legislation had overwhelming support across the Scottish Parliament, demonstrating to the world how importantly Scotland views equality.
"That support means that, from 31 December, same sex couples who want to show their love and commitment to each other could get married in front of family and friends at a ceremony they choose together."
Tom French, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Equality Network, added: "We are very pleased that after years of campaigning for equal marriage it is now just weeks away from becoming a reality. Today's milestone announcement means that same-sex couples across Scotland will be able to set a date and start planning their weddings.
"With the first ceremonies set to take place on Hogmanay, Scotland can be proud that we will bring in the new year as a fairer and more equal country."
The Scottish Parliament voted to pass the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill in February 2014. While the government said the move was the right thing to do, Scotland's two main churches – the Catholic Church and Church of Scotland – are opposed to the new legislation.
The new laws will see religious and belief bodies opting in to perform same-sex marriages, and ministers have said that no part of the religious community would be forced to hold such ceremonies in churches if they do not wish to do so.
(JP/IT)
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