A majority of Scots support gay
marriage, a poll released Thursday has found.
According to a YouGov poll of 1118
adults conducted late last month, 56 percent of Scots support
legislation allowing gay couples to marry, while 35 percent remain
opposed. Eight percent said they were unsure.
A marriage bill received a big boost
when it secured “in principle” approval on November 20.
Ninety-eight members of the parliament of Scotland voted in favor of
the proposed legislation, with only 15 opposed and 5 abstentions.
While a final vote remains nearly a year away, the action nearly
guarantees passage.
Support was highest among young people,
with 77 percent of those aged 18-24 in favor. In contrast, only 38
percent of those aged 60 and over support marriage equality.
“As we approach 2014 it is clear that
the large majority of Scots believe it's time LGBT people had full
equality, including an equal right to marry the person they love,”
Tom French, policy coordinator with Equality Network, which backs the
proposed bill, told The
Herald.
Scotland for Marriage, a group opposed
to same-sex marriage, said that the poll's results “show a
significant number of people do not agree with redefining marriage,
and the MSPs at Holyrood are utterly out of step with the voters.”