A senior SNP member has spoken out against colleagues who oppose gay marriage, branding them “small, mean, angry bigots”.
The measure was introduced in parliament last week and reads, “no person or organisation should be forced to be involved in or to approve of same-sex marriages.”
In a piece for Scotland on Sunday Smith commented: ““I don’t respect, and I won’t tolerate, discrimination and neither does our society. Our society has collectively decided that we are an egalitarian and respectful bunch, that everyone is equal before our democratically agreed law and that everyone will respect the legal rights of others. What is in the small, mean, angry heads of bigots is a matter for them. I never asked for their approval, but I demand equality.”
Mason launches the bid ahead of a planned debate on same sex marriage, which was an important party promise in the run up to election.
Smith slammed the act as “odd” and continued to say no clergy member would be forced to perform gay ceremonies.
SNP member Pete Wishart has also railed against Smith and his cronies, stating on Twitter: ““John Mason’s nasty little anti-gay marriage motion is just wrong, and really disappointed that other colleagues have signed it.”
Mason stands by his actions and comments in The Courier: “While some in society approve of same-sex sexual relationships, others do not agree with them.”
Scotland is still waiting to hear when the debate on same sex marriage will actually occur.
