Australian couple first to wed under Scotlands new rules

[lonelywombat]

[/attachment]http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/aussie-couple-first-to-wed-under-scotland-s-new-marriage-equality-law-15973.html

LAST UPDATED // TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2014 12:58
WRITTEN BY // Cec Busby

Tweet
A same-sex couple from Melbourne have become the first couple in the world to marry under Scotland's new marriage equality law which comes into effect today.

Douglas Pretsell, a Scottish resident from Melbourne, and his Australian husband, Peter Gloster, converted their civil partnership into a marriage in the UK consulate in Melbourne at 11.01am today, the exact moment Scotland's marriage equality law came in to effect.

Pretsell described the moment as wonderful and hailed his birthplace as one of the most progressive in the world.

[attachment=1:265vpyqs]news-douglas-pretsell_b007e04f455c53e79e284260eba2531d.jpg

Image: Peter and Doug with their marriage certificate, image supplied.

"It's wonderful to finally have our marriage confirmed, especially since the Scottish legislation is the most progressive in the world with the full inclusion of transgender and intersex partners,тАЭ Pretsell said.

"It's just so sad that as soon as we stepped out of the consulate and on to the street we ceased to be married in the country we call home," he added.

"Today, I feel immensely proud to be a Scot, and I look forward to feeling just as proud of being Australian. Here's hoping that Australia takes note and brings in equal marriage soon."

news-dougandpeter2

Image: Peter and Doug on their way to the ceremony. image supplied
[attachment=0]news-dougandpeter2.jpg[/attachment:265vpyqs]
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, congratulated Douglas and Peter on their nuptials and for being pioneers for marriage equality.

"Most Australians will find it absurd that Douglas and Peter's solemn vows under Scottish law are not recognised in the country they have chosen to call home,тАЭ Croome said.

"Australia has many historical and cultural ties with Scotland and I look forward to the time when another tie is that both countries treat all loving couples with equal dignity and respect."

In light of the Scottish legislation, Croome once again called for the PM to allow a conscience vote on the issue of marriage equality.

"I call on Tony Abbott to allow a free vote on marriage equality so Australia can rejoin the company of nations, including Scotland, that value equality for all."

CATEGORIES: National, News + Politics, Victoria

I see Elton John and whatshisname plan on getting "married". Does anyone know if that means their kids won't be bastards any more?

[MiniMee]

I see Elton John and whatshisname plan on getting "married". Does anyone know if that means their kids won't be bastards any more?

No. Once a bastard, always a bastard. You are not alone.

[lonelywombat]

SCOTS CONGRATULATE MELBOURNE COUPLE ON SAME-SEX WEDDING
http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/world ... 15985.html (http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/world/scots-congratulate-melbourne-couple-on-same-sex-wedding-15985.html)
LAST UPDATED // THURSDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2014 13:49
WRITTEN BY // Ron Hughes

Tweet
A Melbourne same-sex couple has been congratulated by the Scottish parliament for being the first in the world to be married under Scotland's new marriage laws.

Douglas Pretsell and Peter Gloster were married in the UK consulate in Melbourne on Tuesday but because of the time difference between Melbourne and Scotland they were the first same-sex couple in the world to be married under Scottish law.

"We never expected this degree of support from the media and now government," Pretsell said.

"Both of us are thrilled to be the subject of a motion in the Scottish Parliament."

The motion from Scottish Labour MP Drew Smith reads:

That the Parliament congratulates the couple from Melbourne, Douglas Pretsell and Peter Gloster, who were the first couple to convert their Scottish civil partnership to marriage on the stroke of midnight on 16 December 2014; shares their view that this is an important step forward for equality; notes that Scott and David Barclay are set to become the first Scotland-based gay couple to have their civil partnership converted to marriage in Glasgow; further notes that Scotland became the 17th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in February 2014, when the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 was passed by 105 votes to 18, the third strongest majority for any same-sex marriage legislation in the world; highlights that support for same-sex marriage reached a record high in Scotland, with more than two-thirds of people polled agreeing that gay couples should be allowed to tie the knot, and looks forward to the first same-sex weddings that can take place from 31 December 2014.