Thurs 26 July 2012

UNISON Scotland welcomes decision to lift the ban on same sex marriage

UNISON, Scotland’s largest trade union, has welcomed the long-awaited announcement that the Scottish Government will legislate for same sex couples to marry.

Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said: “UNISON has long campaigned for marriage and civil partnership to be open to all couples, irrespective of gender or gender identity.

“Same sex marriage is about equality and freedom. Restricting marriage to opposite sex couples perpetuates homophobia and reinforces the view that same sex couples are second best and cannot be a real family.

“This type of discrimination has no place in a modern Scotland and we’re glad the Scottish Government has taken this important step towards a fairer and more equal Scotland.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. UNISON is Scotland’s largest trade union and campaigns for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality and human rights in Scotland

2. For more information please visit http://www.unison-scotland.org.uk/lgbt/equalmarriage.html

For more information please contact: Trisha Hamilton, UNISON’s Communications Officer, on 0141 342 2877 or 07939 478 461

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