A proposal to make Scotland the 17th
nation to legalize gay marriage is expected to receive overwhelming
approval by lawmakers on Tuesday.
The bill secured an approval “in
principle” in November, with 98 members of the parliament of
Scotland voting in favor, with only 15 opposed and 5 abstentions.
“Should the bill pass this week, we
would be looking forward to the first marriages as soon as possible,”
a spokesman for the government said.
According to the Herald
Scotland, Scotland's first same-sex marriages could be held
as early as July.
The law is expected to take effect by
the end of the year. However, legislation to move up that date is
under consideration.
Gay and lesbian couples can legally
marry in South Africa, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil,
Spain, Canada and New Zealand. A law in Britain and Wales takes
effect later this year. In Mexico and the United States, protections
for gay couples can vary widely depending on the state.