Tag Archives: Scotland

Alan Cumming For Yes Scotland

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British PM David Cameron Pleads With Scots Not Rip Apart “Family Of Nations”

Via Reuters: British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday begged Scots not to rip apart the United Kingdom’s “family of nations”, flying to Scotland to man the barricades against a surge in support for independence eight days before a referendum. Cameron appealed to Scots to use their heads and their hearts when they voted on Sept. 18. He reminded them …

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UK: Feds Offer More Perks To Scotland As Polls Swing To Secession Side

The British government is “scrambling” to offer more perks to Scotland after a recent poll shows a slim majority are now in favor of independence. British finance minister George Osborne said on Sunday that plans would be set out in the coming days to give Scotland more autonomy on tax, spending and welfare if Scots vote against independence in a …

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Another Royal Baby Is Coming

Via the Telegraph: Forget tea time, beefeaters or those derelict red phone boxes – nothing makes you feel more proud to be British that the world’s most photogenic royal couple announcing that they’re expecting a second child. And with ten days until Scotland votes on whether to remain part of the – proudly royal – British union, could the excitement …

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SCOTLAND: Pro-Independence Group Aims To Place LGBT Rights In New Constitution

Next week a subgroup of the Yes Scotland secession movement will hold a meeting to discuss enshrining LGBT rights in a new national constitution. YES LGBT and MSP Patrick Harvie will host the conference on Monday in Glasgow, and will address issues such as the written constitution, equality law, gender recognition, asylum policy and foreign policy. An introduction to the …

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SCOTLAND: Secession Drive May Fail

Scotland’s referendum on independence from the United Kingdom is just weeks away and it appears that concerns about the economic impact of secession may have doomed the cause. Many businesses in Scotland have reservations about independence. Standard Life, a pensions and investments company based in Edinburgh, in May said it had drawn up plans to move operations to England if …

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Kylie At The Commonwealth Games

This weekend Kylie Minogue closed out the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where openly gay divers Tom Daley and Matthew Mitcham both won gold medals. (Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

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NORTHERN IRELAND: Legislature Rejects Marriage Bill By Vote Of 51-43

Via the Guardian: Amnesty International has warned that a legal challenge is likely to the Northern Ireland assembly’s decision to block a gay marriage equality bill. A Sinn Féin motion to bring in gay marriage to Northern Ireland was defeated by 51 votes to 43. It was the third time in the past 18 months that Stormont has rejected same-sex …

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SCOTLAND: Queen Elizabeth Gives Royal Assent For Gay Marriage Law

Gay Star News reports: Queen Elizabeth II has signed same-sex marriage into law in Scotland today (13 March). By the end of the year, Scottish gay couples will be able to unite in matrimony. It is the last step in the long battle to get the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill through Parliament, making it an Act. Alex Neil, …

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Scotland Offers Asylum To Gay Ugandans

Via the Herald Scotland: Scotland is to offer asylum to Ugandans facing persecution under the country’s oppressive new legislation against its gay population. Humza Yousaf, Minister For External Affairs, has written to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague detailing the Scottish Government’s gesture to welcome “any Ugandan” persecuted by the new laws. It comes on the back of an outcry from …

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NORTHERN IRELAND: Activists Threaten To Sue For Marriage After Scotland Vote

Saying that they are happy but frustrated about Scotland’s approval of same-sex marriage yesterday, activists in Northern Ireland say they may turn to the courts. Via Gay Star News: John O’Doherty, director of The Rainbow Project in Belfast and chair of Equal Marriage NI, told Gay Star News he applauded Scotland’s politicians for voting in favor of equality.  ‘But it’s …

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Scotland Approves Same-Sex Marriage In Wildly Lopsided 105-18 Vote!!!

And it is DONE. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill passed its third stage in a free vote at the Scottish Parliament as MSPs voted 105-18 in favour. The vote means Northern Ireland is now the only country in the UK that does not permit gay people to marry. The issue had polarised public opinion between supporters who championed …

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LIVE VIDEO: Scottish Parliament Debates Final Reading Of Gay Marriage Bill

The Scottish Parliament is set to vote today on the third and final reading of its marriage equality bill, which is expected to pass easily. Via the BBC: The legislation, which is facing its final vote in the Holyrood parliament, passed its previous parliamentary hurdle by 98 votes to 15, with five abstentions. MSPs have been allowed a free vote, …

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Scotland Marriage Vote: February 4th

The Scottish Parliament will have its final debate and vote on same-sex marriage on February 4th.  The Equality Network yesterday gave a statement to Pink News: After six years of campaigning for equal marriage there is now less than a fortnight to go until the final vote. Scotland can be proud that we have produced one of the most progressive …

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SCOTLAND: American Pastor Arrested For Homophobic Street Preaching

Last July, former Los Angeles County police officer Tony Miano, was arrested and released without charges in London for using homophobic speech as he preached to passersby on the street. And now he’s been arrested in Scotland for the same thing. The British hate group Christian Concern is, of course, outraged. Here’s their  account of the arrest, which they claim …

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LIVE VIDEO: Scottish Parliament To Vote On First Reading Of Gay Marriage Bill
UPDATE: Bill Passes By 98-15 Vote!!!

The Scottish parliament today will take its first vote on same-sex marriage. The chamber is presently debating a defense industry bill, but the marriage act is expected to come up around noon, NYC time. Bonus: The accents! Ministers said the move was the right thing to do but the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church are opposed. Under the bill, …

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Hillary Clinton: Stand Up For Gay Rights

“We need more voices speaking up for universal human rights. We have honoured some of the great advocates here today who have spoken out courageously for women’s rights, gay rights and religious understanding, showing us that our communities and institutions are strongest when equality and opportunity are open to all people and freedom of conscience is respected. And it is …

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SCOTLAND: Marriage Bill To Speed Up

Scotland’s marriage equality bill is going to be fast-tracked through their parliament. In an unusual move, MSPs will hold double sessions starting earlier in the day just to get through the weight of information from a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals who have been asked for their views on shaping the new laws. The Scottish Government faced accusations earlier …

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SCOTLAND: Disgraced Cardinal Keith O’Brien Halted Sexual Abuse Inquiries

Back in February, Cardinal Keith O’Brien resigned two days after four priests accused him of “inappropriate contact” with them while they were seminary students in the 1980s. O’Brien later issued a murky confession about behavior “below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal.” Today we learn that O’Brien halted an inquiry into sexual abuses by other …

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It Gets Redder

The Guardian reports: “While Glasgow held its annual Gay Pride parade on Saturday, Edinburgh’s redheads stood up to prejudice against people with ginger hair by marching along the Royal Mile led by Canadian comedian Shawn Hitchins who is performing at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”  Slideshow at the link.

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