Equal marriage: We must go further if we are to build a fairer Scotland
The introduction of equal marriage in Scotland was an important milestone that we must build on if we are to have a more equal and inclusive Scotland, says the Scottish Greens equality spokesperson, Maggie Chapman.
Speaking in a Member’s Debate held by Emma Roddick MSP this evening, Ms Chapman will urge MSPs to show courage, compassion and solidarity and to tackle the growing hostility being experienced by far too many LGBTQIA+ young people, including a full ban on conversion practices.
Ms Chapman will say:
“I wholeheartedly agree that the introduction of same-sex marriage in Scotland is a matter for enthusiastic celebration. But I am not sure that a characterisation of the past decade as one of ‘love, respect and freedom of choice’ really tells the whole story.
“Equal marriage has been to some extent the low-hanging fruit of equality, reform with which we feel comfortable, which extends our families and communities, gives us more occasions of festivity and provides extra ballast to the institution of marriage.
“But we are misremembering if we think that it was easy, and Emma Roddick is right to highlight the bravery and tenacity of those early activists.”
Referring to reporting by LGBT Youth Scotland, Ms Chapman will say: “Emma Roddick’s motion claims that Scotland is one of the most LGBTQI+ friendly nations in Europe. I really don’t know whether that is true.
“Yes, we have legal equality and an inclusive school curriculum, but real-life experiences, especially of young people, and especially of transgender people, give us little upon which to congratulate ourselves.
“Recent reports from LGBT Youth Scotland, compared to those of five years earlier, show significant declines in the numbers of young LGBTQIA+ young people who believe that Scotland is a good place for them to live.”
Ms Chapman will conclude:
“These statistics are a matter of deep collective shame and underscores the urgent need for action, including a comprehensive ban on conversion practices.
"Emma Roddick asks us to stay determined. I say more: if we are truly to honour the achievement of 2014, we must discover new wellsprings of courage, of compassion, of solidarity and of will.”