February, 04 2014, 01:09pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Angela Dallara
Media Relations Manager, Freedom to Marry
angela@freedomtomarry.org
646-430-3925
Scotland Gives Final Approval to Freedom to Marry Bill
NEW YORK
Today Scotland gave final approval to a bill that allows same-sex couples to marry. England and Wales passed the freedom to marry in July 2013, leaving northern Ireland as the only region in the United Kingdom where same-sex couples cannot yet marry.
Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, released the following statement:
"With the freedom to marry bill clearing its final hurdle in Scotland today, same-sex couples can finally share in the freedom to marry alongside their neighbors in England and Wales. Today's win comes after a rich and extensive debate, and after an overwhelming victory in the parliamentary vote. With same-sex couples able to share in the freedom to marry in 18 countries on 5 continents, Freedom to Marry will continue pressing our campaign to win marriage nationwide here in the United States."
There are currently sixteen countries that have the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide, as well as two that have regional or court-directed provisions enabling same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry.
Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Headed by Evan Wolfson, one of America's leading civil rights advocates and lawyers, Freedom to Marry brings new resources and a renewed context of urgency and opportunity to this social justice movement.
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