Scotland: Over 500 same-sex couples have married so far
Over 500 same-sex couples have married in the Scotland, since marriages began last month.
According to figures released today by the Scottish government, 507 same-sex couples are currently married, with weddings taking place in nearly every part of Scotland.
Same-sex weddings began on December 31 in Scotland, while couples in civil partnerships could convert earlier, from December 16. Both conversions and new marriages are counted in the statistics.
The figures would imply a fairly high uptake for equal marriage in Scotland – where just 530 couples entered into civil partnerships across the whole of 2013.
Marriages have been registered in 30 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas so far, with only Orkney and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – which have respective populations of 21,000 and 28,000 – still yet to see any same-sex weddings.
Interestingly, Edinburgh has seen more weddings than the more-populous city of Glasgow – with 130 couples tying the knot in Edinburgh compared to Glasgow’s 99.
Tom French, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “The fact that over 500 same-sex marriages have already been registered in Scotland in the first month of the new law shows just how important equal marriage is to LGBTI people.
“While there remains some unfinished business on equal marriage, including ensuring that those couples in overseas civil partnerships are able to marry in Scotland, today’s figures are further evidence that the new law has already been a big success.”
(Photo: Equality Network)
