Leaders unite on same-sex marriage support

SCOTLAND’S political leaders have issued a joint call for the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Labour’s Kezia Dugdale, Patrick Harvie from the Green Party and Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie all voiced support for a law change across the Irish Sea.

Their intervention comes ahead of a major demonstration by gay rights activists in Belfast today.

The region is the only part of the UK and Ireland where samesex marriage remains outlawed.

The issue is one of a series of sticking points holding up the formation of a new power sharing government at Stormont.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) opposition to changing the law has attracted increased scrutiny across the UK since the party became the UK Government’s kingmaker at Westminster.

Ms Sturgeon said she was proud that gay marriage had been introduced in Scotland.

“The debate over equal marriage in Scotland did more than just simply allow people to marry, it also helped to challenge negative attitudes that still exist today in our society towards LGBTI people and show, quite simply, that same-sex couples are just as valued as opposite sex couples,” she said.

Scottish Tory leader Ms Davidson said: “I’m proud to support those campaigning for marriage equality and I’m optimistic that this is a battle that can be won.”

Scottish Labour leader Ms Dugdale said: “Scotland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have all now backed equal marriage, and it has been liberating and encouraging to see such progress.”