icScotland - Gay marriage plans 'not enough'
icScotland logo
icScotland News Sport icHomes
Search icScotland for:
Today's UK news
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article

Gay marriage plans 'not enough'

10:05, Feb 2 2013

 

The Government's gay marriage proposals do not go far enough, according to a poll of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

The controversial introduction of same-sex marriage will be put to a Commons vote next week.

But in a survey, six out of 10 gay people said the Government's plans would not create "equal marriage", and that equality would only be achieved when churches, synagogues and mosques are required to carry out same-sex weddings.

The poll found that half of all LGBT people expect the courts to remove the remaining protections on places of worship.

Nearly two-thirds (62%) believed Prime Minister David Cameron was trying to extend marriage to LGBT people to make the Tories look more compassionate rather than because of his convictions.

The poll - which questioned more than 500 LGBT people - was commissioned by the Coalition for Marriage - an alliance of groups and individuals opposed to attempts to redefine marriage. The organisation's campaign director Colin Hart described the results as a "wake-up call to the Government".

He said: "These poll results should be a real eye opener for David Cameron. They show that the PM's motives are not trusted. Just 15% of LGBT people believe his claims that he is making the change out of conviction.

"They also show that Mr Cameron's plans to force this Bill through Parliament with little or no debate is not supported even by those who back the change, because they fear this might do more harm than good.

"So when will the Government listen to the growing number of MPs, peers, legal and constitution experts who are saying that this legislation will have all sorts of unintended consequences?

"Ordinary people - teachers, parents, foster carers and those who work in the public sector - who back the traditional definition of marriage face being treated like outcasts, disciplined or sacked from their jobs. r Cameron should either ditch this unpopular and unworkable legislation, or at the very least put it before the British public."

 
Headteachers vote against reforms
Surgery row trust to replace chief
North Korea 'fires three missiles'
France signs gay marriage into law
Egypt hotel pool tragedy girl named
Child dies in Egyptian hotel pool
60 hurt as commuter trains collide
Heads 'tired of constant change'
Archbishop to bless married couples
Co-op AGM faces up to bank worries
Briton dies in Egyptian resort
Senior Tory 'slams party activists'
'Bedroom tax' prompts payment surge
'Dismay' over Litvinenko ruling
Litvinenko widow criticises ruling
Dead children name usage 'common'
Protesters reject Farage accusation
Unions slam fire services report
Halt probation plan, Grayling urged
McCanns 'very pleased' with review
Top Top

Back Back

E-mail this article to a friend

Printable VersionPrintable version

 
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article
 


Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© owned by or licensed to Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited 2013.
icScotland™ is a trade mark of Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 
Advertisements
 
Jobs in Scotland: