THOUSANDS of protesters marched on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to demonstrate their support for equal marriage.
The Love Equally March saw supporters from across Scotland, including the Equality Network, NUS Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall Scotland, join Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) to demonstrate their support for equal marriage.
The march finished with a rally outside Parliament, where the crowd were addressed by SYP Chair Grant Costello, Marco Biagi MSP, Patrick Harvie MSP and Marilyn Jackson, Registered Celebrant from the Humanist Society of Scotland.
Grant Costello MSYP, SYP Chair, said: “All the evidence shows the majority of Scots support marriage equality, and the historic response to the Government’s consultation on same sex marriage demonstrates they are prepared to speak out for equality.
“Scotland’s young people are determined that the consultation is not the end, but just the beginning of the journey to a better nation with equality at its heart. We need all those supporters of marriage equality to march with us, be our Valentines and Love Equally on February 14th.”
Tom French, Policy Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “This Valentine’s Day hundreds of equal marriage supporters from across the country will be marching on Holyrood to send a clear message to the Scottish Government; we demand full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens, and we will settle for nothing less.
“With the backing of a majority of Scots and cross-party support in parliament, the Scottish Government now have all the backing they need to bring forward legislation to lift the ban on same-sex marriage.”
Nathan Sparling, NUS Scotland LGBT Officer, said: “This Valentine’s Day, students from across Scotland will be taking part in the Love Equally march to show our unwavering support for Equal Marriage in Scotland.
“We’ll be marching on the streets of Edinburgh celebrating love, and asking for the Scottish Government to give us another reason to celebrate by making same-sex marriage legal in Scotland.”
Mhairi Logan McMillan, Head of Policy and Mainstreaming for LGBT Youth Scotland, said; “LGBT Youth Scotland is excited to be involved in the love equally Valentine’s Day March and LGBT young people from all across Scotland will be joining us to show their support.
“We are also currently celebrating LGBT History Month and we want to ask the Scottish Government to make history by giving all Scots the right to marry the person they love, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Both LGBT Youth Scotland and the LGBT National Youth Council hope you will join us in shouting ‘M.E.2 for marriage equality’.”
Colin Macfarlane, Director, Stonewall Scotland said: “This Valentine’s Day hundreds of young people will be making their message clear to the Scottish Government that they want to live in modern, forward thinking and fair Scotland.
“The majority of Scots support equal marriage and the Love Equally March will give young Scots the chance to say to the Government that the time is now right to say “I do” to full equality for Scotland’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”
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