By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/scotland-becomes-latest-country-legalize-marriage-equality Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Scotland becomes latest country to legalize marriage equality World Feb 4, 2014 3:26 PM EDT Video by The Scottish Parliament The BBC reports that Scotland legalized marriage equality on Tuesday. The first same-sex weddings are to take place this fall. The bill faced opposition from the country’s two main churches, the Scottish Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland, representatives of which have said they did not have plans to hold ceremonies. The measure allows religious groups an “opt in” to perform same-sex marriages. The Scottish government passed the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill with a vote of 105-18, expanding on the legislation that has allowed civil partnerships since 2005. Same-sex legislation was also passed for England and Wales in 2013 with the first weddings to take place in late March. Northern Ireland is not currently pursuing marriage equality legislation, making it the only part of the UK that hasn’t legalized gay marriage. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
Video by The Scottish Parliament The BBC reports that Scotland legalized marriage equality on Tuesday. The first same-sex weddings are to take place this fall. The bill faced opposition from the country’s two main churches, the Scottish Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland, representatives of which have said they did not have plans to hold ceremonies. The measure allows religious groups an “opt in” to perform same-sex marriages. The Scottish government passed the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill with a vote of 105-18, expanding on the legislation that has allowed civil partnerships since 2005. Same-sex legislation was also passed for England and Wales in 2013 with the first weddings to take place in late March. Northern Ireland is not currently pursuing marriage equality legislation, making it the only part of the UK that hasn’t legalized gay marriage. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now