Glasgow City Council backs Lib Dem motion for Equal Marriage
Originally published by LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
Lib Dem Cllr. Alex Dingwall introduced the equal marriage motion
Councillor Dingwall said: "I'm immensely happy that today Glasgow has continued our city's proud record of opposing discrimination in all its forms and unanimously supporting the campaign for marriage equality.
"In doing so we have rejected those who want to tell our LGBT community in Glasgow that they are not equal, that they are wrong, that they are evil. We are happy to join with the Unitarians, Quakers, Metropolitan Church, Liberal Judaism and others who want to provide equal marriage.
"This city said it out, loud and proud today; freedom, liberty and equality are the birthright of every citizen. I hope other councils will now follow Glasgow's lead."
Equal marriage was introduced as Scottish Liberal Democrat policy by Scottish Liberal Youth in 2010, before being adopted as national Liberal Democrat policy in a Federal Conference motion introduced by LGBT+ Liberal Democrats later that year. The Liberal Democrats were and remain the first and only major Westminster party to support equal marriage.
The Glasgow motion includes the Liberal Democrat policy of offering civil partnership to mixed-sex couples, as well as marriage to same-sex couples.
The agreed motion reads:
Council, as the Authority responsible for the administration of civil marriages and civil partnerships in the City of Glasgow, notes:
The current Scottish Government consultation on same-sex marriage and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships; and
The 2006 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey showing 53% in agreement with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples and only 21% in disagreement, and a subsequent poll in 2010 showing 58% support with only 19% against.
Council believes:
1 The Scottish Government should recognise this shift in public attitudes within its current consultation on equal marriage;
2 That the Scottish Government consultation should include the issue of mixed sex couples being allowed to enter into civil partnerships; and
3 That establishing equal marriage and mixed sex civil partnerships would in no way undermine the rights and freedoms of those religious bodies which do not wish to participate in them.
Council instructs the Chief Executive to submit a response to the Scottish Government's consultation reflecting the points raised above and support the proposals to bring equality for marriage and civil partnerships arrangements and to send a copy of this motion to all Members of the Scottish Parliament.