Happy News

Mr. Shakes will be so proud…and he has every reason to be. Seven gay couples have taken part in the first civil partnership ceremonies in Scotland. The pictured couple, John Maguire and Laurence Scott-Mackay, were the first, and although the couple currently resides in Washington, D.C., they are both Scotland natives, and flew to Edinburgh, where they first met in 1992, to get hitched. When the pair was born in the early 1970’s, homosexuality was still a crime in Scotland. It was legalized in 1981, and now, after 13 years together and the passage of Britain’s Civil Partnership Act, they are being recognized as full citizens with equal rights.

Mr Maguire said of his big day: "It's absolutely incredible. For the first time in our relationship and for the first time in the history of the lesbian and gay movement, our government and our country is saying 'you're valid, your relationship is worth something. It's got to be rewarded, it's got to be encouraged. Here's the benefits, here's the rights, here's the responsibilities - but you're equal'. There's definitely a sense of history about it, there's no mistaking that. It's an incredibly awesome experience. It's mind-blowing and breathtaking.”
Scotland will also automatically recognize couples who have married in other countries where gay marriage was legal.

It’s unfortunate that Mssrs Maguire and Scott-Mackay will not be returning to a country that provides them the same respect. Shame on us.

(Thank you to Julien’s List and The Moderate Voice contributor Holly for the pointer.)

Shakesville is run as a safe space. First-time commenters: Please read Shakesville's Commenting Policy and Feminism 101 Section before commenting. We also do lots of in-thread moderation, so we ask that everyone read the entirety of any thread before commenting, to ensure compliance with any in-thread moderation. Thank you.

blog comments powered by Disqus