KaleidoScot The Northern end of the rainbow
Scotland’s First Minister has issued a special message on the eve of the first same-sex ceremonies to be held in Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon, speaking in a video produced for the Equality Network, expressed her personal congratulations to same-sex couples who are due to tie the knot shortly after midnight.
The First Minister also commented on the momentous legislation that has enabled marriage equality to become reality, and spoke in support of LGBTI rights more generally – including the ongoing need to challenge regressive attitudes.
In her video message, the First Minister said: “2014 has been a momentous year for equality in Scotland…the Scottish Parliament voted overwhelmingly to legalise same-sex marriage…that is a moment that will live long in my memory [and is] perhaps one of the most special days I’ve experienced in parliament.”
She thanked campaigners who had “worked so hard to make that day a reality” before adding her “warm congratulations to couples all over Scotland who on Hogmanay and the days, weeks, months and years to come will celebrate their love by deciding to get married.”
She added that there is “a way to go [and] attitudes we need to challenge” but insisted that it was important to “take the moment to celebrate this milestone for equality”.
Ms Sturgeon will be witnessing one of the historic first same-sex marriages – that of her friends Susan and Gerrie Douglas-Scott.
17 same-sex couples are planning to marry on Hogmanay. According to the Equality Network, a further 250 couples in an existing civil partnership have converted their civil partnership to marriage since 16th December.
Here is First Minister’s full message below:
