Ex-radio DJ and health worker hope to be Scotland’s first married gay couple
A former radio DJ and a public health worker hope to be the first to marry under Scotland’s same-sex marriage law.
Malcolm Brown and Joe Schofield were among 15 couples who took up the Humanist Society Scotland’s offer to help organise the earliest-possible same-sex marriage in Scotland.
The couple from Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, who have been together nine years, plan to marry after the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve.
Most of the other 14 couples are set to marry later the same day.
STV reports Mr Brown said: “Before couldn’t have used the word marriage. We as a gay couple can now use that term. We’re now equal with everyone else. That’s really important.
“I was blown away to find out we will be the first.”
Mr Schofield, who has campaigned for gay equality since he was 16, added: “There is obviously the devotion I have, this is the guy I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Tim Hopkins, director of the Equality Network, said: “We’re really pleased to see this wedding and all the other weddings on the 31st go ahead.
“When the bill passed in the Scottish Parliament February it was a very emotional moment. The 31st of December for us will be a celebration.”
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 will come into force on 16 December, meaning couples can register to marry then.
Following the usual 15 day notice period for marriages, the first same-sex weddings will take place on 31 December.
The Scottish Government announced the date last month.
Update: This article originally stated that the first marriages would take place after midnight on New Year’s Day – the first same-sex weddings in Scotland will take place just after midnight on New Year’s Eve
