MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick has celebrated 10 years of same-sex marriage in Scotland, leading a Members’ Business in the Scottish Parliament to mark a decade of the legislation’s effect.
The 16th of December officially marked 10 years on since the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act came into force, the act which legalised same-sex marriage in Scotland.
Commenting, Emma said:
“I am grateful to colleagues who joined me as I led the debate marking a decade since same-sex marriage was legalised in Scotland; by an SNP Government.
“Ten years does not seem long enough for something so simple to have happened, but it has meant that over 10,000 couples have since been able to marry the people they love, significantly improving the rights and visibility of the whole LGBTQ+ community.
“When I looked around the Chamber during the debate, many of my colleagues who sit around me daily were part of the fight.
“We must recognise the courage and determination of those campaigners who fought tirelessly to get this Act passed and implemented, despite the relentless homophobia, lesbophobia, and biphobia in the press and their inboxes.
“While we celebrate a decade, we know that progress is a constant thing, and achievements are not promised forever.
“What is done can be undone, and recent events in Scotland and across the world show that there are active threats.
“These remind us that there is still a lot to do to create a society where everyone is treated equally.
“So as we celebrate ten years, we must remain committed to building a fairer, safer, and more equal Scotland for all – doing what we can, wherever we can, to continue the progress the SNP is so proud of.”
