The wife and I were guests on BBC1′s Big Questions discussion programme this morning. I use the term *wife* because that is what she is to me, and I to her, despite anything the Free Church, Catholic Bishops, or anyone else may think. I find it rather depressing that despite us legally marrying in another Commonwealth country, they won’t accept the validity, moral, spiritual or otherwise, of our marriage and of the certificate I carry in my purse. What they’re trying to tell me, I guess, is that when the plane takes off from Jo’Burg…we’re married, but by the time we land in Glasgow…we’re civil partners, even though it’s a marriage certificate we have. We are walking talking legal and spiritual anomalies I think, at least according to some religious groups and ministers here in Scotland.

Despite all the biblical arguments, dire warnings of the breakdown of society, and other threats, the real issue is one of religious freedom, both to not carry out same-sex marriage, or, to carry them out. We were told in the programme by CARE for Scotland, a Christian group, that this freedom of religion must be proportionate, but this also cuts both ways. The Humanist society of Scotland performs more marriages than the RC church so should they have a greater say?

Religious freedom must indeed, cut both ways. It works well in other countries so why not here in Scotland. However the most significant thing which struck me about all the comment on this morning’s broadcast was this; that it appears most folks in Scotland are amazed we are having this debate at all. That in this 21st century a simple matter of equality in society actually needs to be debated, when it should in fact be a given.

For this is not about the rights under civil partnership being the same as those under marriage. It’s about the lack of equality in choice. The spurious arguments about polyandry and ancestral marriage don’t wash either, for both states are made by active decision, whereas being Gay or Lesbian is not choice but a fact of birth.

Equality should exist in all parts of society, including marriage. Anything less is discrimination pure and simple. In this day and age, this has to be the only moral state allowable.

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