Queen Elizabeth II Signs Scotland Same-Sex Marriage Bill Into Law

Queen Elizabeth II has signed Scotland’s same-sex marriage bill into law. The process, known as Royal Assent, means couples will be able to marry before the end of the year. There are still details of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill to be worked out.

“Over 15,000 people answered the Scottish government’s consultation with nearly three in four people (72%) saying they support same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnerships,” Gay Star News reports.

Meanwhile, same-sex couples in England and Wales will be able to marry March 29, under separate, earlier legislation that passed last year. Those couples can begin registering as of today.

And as of today, same-sex couples who legally married outside of Great Britain will have their marriages legally recognized. NCRM