LIVE VIDEO: Scottish Parliament To Vote On First Reading Of Gay Marriage BillUPDATE: Bill Passes By 98-15 Vote!!!

The Scottish parliament today will take its first vote on same-sex marriage. The chamber is presently debating a defense industry bill, but the marriage act is expected to come up around noon, NYC time. Bonus: The accents!

Ministers said the move was the right thing to do but the Church of Scotland and Catholic Church are opposed. Under the bill, religious and belief bodies would need to "opt in" to perform same-sex marriages. Individual celebrants who felt it would go against their faith to carry out same-sex weddings would also be protected, and the Scottish government has insisted no part of the religious community would be forced to hold ceremonies for homosexual couples in churches. MSPs are being allowed a free vote on the legislation, rather than along party lines.

Watch live here.

UPDATE: Things are underway right now.

UPDATE II: The bill has PASSED by a vote of 98-15! There will be two more readings. Most expected that Scotland will receive royal assent some time in March.