Same sex marriage

SHETLAND’S youth politicians believe that Scotland’s move to legalise same sex marriage will help to stem homophobia.

MSYPs Nicole Mouat and Emily Shaw have been active in the islands promoting the Love Equally campaign alongside the rest of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

They said that while campaigning in local schools they came across “mild” homophobia amongst pupils.

“Whenever we mentioned the issue – that men and women should have the same rights to get married as men and men or women and women – it was something that a lot of youngsters said isn’t right,” Shaw said.

“There will always be people who don’t want to accept that idea, but there’s nothing we can do about that – all we can do is educate them a little bit.”

Mouat said she was optimistic legalisation of same sex marriage could change attitudes.

“It’s still a new idea, it’s only becoming more accepted now, and the more you do to support them, the more people realise that it’s not that different, and they’ll come to accept it.”

The Scottish Parliament commenced the process of legalising same sex marriage on 25 July, with the first ceremonies being expected in 2014.

The new law will give same sex couples the right to marry, gives religious organisations the option to perform ceremonies, and allow mixed sex couples to enter a civil partnership.

Iwan MacBride