An Equal Marriage Debate? In 2023?

Are we going back in time? Is this actually happening? Why can’t we have anything? Those are just a few questions that may be spiralling in your head as the search for Nicola Sturgeon’s replacement has resparked a debate on equal marriage.

Words by ARRAN PROCTOR

Within one week of Nicola Sturgeon resigning, it was brought right to the centre of the leadership contest that one candidate, Kate Forbes, had an issue with equal marriage. Telling various interviewers that if she was an MSP during the vote on the Marriage and Civil Partnerships Act 2014 she would have voted against it. Claiming it is against her religion to practice this kind of marriage.

Not only is a possible future leader of a country delegitimising thousands of marriages around the country, but she is also sparking up a debate that was meant to be over nearly ten years ago.

Forbes, an evangelical Christian and member of the Free Church of Scotland, has said she is also against the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and is anti-abortion. It seems inconceivable that a leader of a progressive party like the SNP would be against such basic human rights. Whilst she has said she would never overturn any legislation that may impact the lives of LGBTQ+ people, it could mean she is slow at acting on legislation that makes life easier for queer folk, like banning conversion therapy or making access to gender-affirming healthcare quicker to access.

Vic Valentine, manager of Scot up to support trans people, commented on the current leadership debate, “While for now this might be a contest about who leads the SNP, ultimately whoever is successful will go on to lead the country. LGBT+ people are a part of Scotland’s communities, and trans people are your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. It is absolutely vital that the future First Minister takes decisions in the interests of everyone, and rather than seeing protecting and improving trans people’s lives and rights as an optional add-on, understands that doing so is a small but important part of leading a Scotland in which everyone can thrive.”

Whilst Forbes has made quite the splash on this, the other two candidates have also faced controversies on this issue or similar. Humza Yousaf most notably didn’t attend the vote for equal marriage in Scotland, a few rumoured this was down to religious pressures, but the leadership hopeful ensures it wasn’t. Ash Regan, on the other hand, is majorly opposed to the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, even resigning from her role in government over it.

It seems somewhat dystopian that in a leadership contest, for a party that is meant to be progressive, these basic human rights are being debated. Especially for a party that prided itself on being entirely inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.

Why is it, as LGBTQ+ people, we have to continually fight for our place at the table, to be recognised as human beings, and to have our lives constantly debated? Will there ever be a time when we can put our feet up and live our lives without fear?

Whoever wins this leadership needs to maintain the principles of The SNP being an open and accepting party, they need to restore the little faith queer people have for the party, and they need to ensure they are on the correct side of history.•