Edinburgh – Scotland is now the 17th country to legalize marriage equality.
In a 105 – 18 vote Feb. 4, the Scottish Parliament approved same sex marriage, while voting down several provisions that would allow extra protections for religious leaders who oppose marriage equality.
Religious institutions are not required to hold same sex weddings, but can opt in for equality. The bill is similar to England/Wales, which approved marriage equality in July of 2013.
Scotland’s first same sex weddings could take place in October of 2014.
