writes about watching the debate.MSPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of legislation that will allow same sex couples to marry on what has been described as a historic day at Holyrood.
Despite protests from some religious groups and concerns from some politicians, supporters of the bill say it is reflective of the way society has changed.The Scottish Government also insists any new laws will protect the rights of groups and celebrants who do not want to perform same-sex marriag
I was glued to my computer last night watching the debate from the Scottish Parliament on introducing the legislation that will one day soon, allow same-sex couples to get married.
It is difficult to describe what it was like watching it. In touch with others on twitter, I was aware of a certain amount of nervousness from some of those who have been campaigning on this. It isn’t surprising – a lot of work has gone into this. However, it was not just parliamentary process that was affecting me last night. It was the sight of one politician after another standing up and speaking positively about gay couples they know, changes in society that have made life easier for gay people or in some cases talking about themselves as gay parliamentarians. It is difficult for me to convey what this feels like to straight people. When I was growing up you simply saw no-one say anything positive about something that is pretty fundamental to who you are. Indeed, you either got negative messages or a corrupting silence which you somehow knew you were supposed to keep.
Times have changed and that is why evenings like last night mean so much and in the end it was a decisive victory in the Parliament – 98 votes to 15 with five abstentions.
Later on in the evening I was asked to go on Scotland Tonight on STV. It was a very enjoyable interview.
(The blog contains a clip from his interview.)