Scottish Support for Marriage Equality Jumps

A new survey of Scottish citizens has shown a huge increase in support for same-sex marriage rights over the past decade, leading LGBT rights groups to call for swift introduction and approval of marriage equality legislation.

The recently released Scottish Social Attitudes Survey showed 61% of respondents supporting marriage equality in 2010, up from 41% in 2002, reports The Herald of Glasgow.

The percentage of respondents who disapproved of gay relationships dropped significantly. In 2000, 48% felt sexual relationships between two adults of the same sex were always or mostly wrong. By 2010 this figure was just 27%.

Also, when the survey asked whether "gay or lesbian couples should have the right to marry one another if they want to," just 19% disagreed, while 18% neither agreed nor disagreed.

Scotland, as part of the United Kingdom, offers same-sex couples the option to form civil partnerships, which carry the same rights as marriage. However, a Scottish gay rights group, the Equality Network, contends that having two separate systems, civil partnerships for gay couples and marriage for gay couples, is inherently discriminatory. The group also points to problems with international recognition of civil partnerships and barriers to including religious content in the ceremonies.

Tim Hopkins of the Equality Network said the survey results show the nation is ready for marriage equality. "A Scottish government bill on equal marriage would have broad popular support," he told The Herald. "The Scottish government should ensure their consultation on marriage equality starts quickly, and should be prepared to move to legislation as the next step."