BELFAST: 20,000 March For Marriage

An estimated crowd of 20,000 marched on Belfast City Hall today to demand same-sex marriage. Via the Guardian:

Northern Ireland has been left behind in the struggle for gay equality, the Irish trade union movement said on Saturday, as thousands marched in Belfast to call for the recognition of same-sex marriage. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) pointed out that the province once led the way in terms of rights for same-sex partners. “In 2005, history was made when Northern Ireland became the first place in the UK to hold a civil partnership. Ten years later, with every other part of these islands recognising marriage equality, citizens in Northern Ireland have effectively been left behind,” the ICTU said. The demonstration through central Belfast to city hall was part of a campaign by local gay rights organisations and human rights groups for the province’s law to be changed. Among those marching was Snow Patrol’s lead singer, Gary Lightbody. Amnesty International said the region was now the “last bastion of discrimination against gay people in these islands”.

More from the Independent:

The crowd, organised by Amnesty International, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Rainbow Project, said they want parity with the rest of the UK and Ireland in permitting civil marriage for gay couples. Addressing the rally, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland programme director, said: "Isn't this the most beautiful march and rally Belfast has ever seen? A march about love. "We are all here today because of a simple idea: all people are equal. The state should treat all people equally." The Northern Ireland Assembly has rejected a proposal calling for the introduction of gay marriage after debating the issue for a fourth time. Sinn Fein said equality rights for same-sex couples must be shared by citizens in the north and it will continue to campaign for the reform. Other high profile supporters of the campaign include singer Brian Kennedy and Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes. Singer Bronagh Gallagher, supported by Quire, Belfast's LGBT choir, performed at the Belfast City Hall rally, which followed the march from the Ulster University on York Street.

Huge Sinn Féin turnout at the #MarriageEquality rally in Belfast. pic.twitter.com/K7Mk6vfck9

— Sinn Féin LGBT (@sinnfeinlgbt) June 13, 2015

Belfast City Council: Yes To Marriage

Via the BBC:

Belfast City Council has voted in favour of same-sex marriage at a meeting on Monday. A total of 38 councillors voted for, 13 voted against and there were two abstentions, so the motion was carried. It had been moved by Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown. Councillors from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Green Party, PUP, People Before Profit and Alliance spoke in support of the motion. All the Sinn Fein and Alliance councillors voted in favour, all but two of the SDLP councillors joined them, as well as the PUP, Gerry Carroll, People Before Profit Alliance, and the Green Party. All but three Ulster Unionists also voted for the motion. Three UU members voted against and they were joined by all of the DUP councillors. Two SDLP councillors abstained from the vote.

In April the Northern Ireland Assembly narrowly rejected a proposal to introduce a same-sex marriage bill in a 49-47 vote. Same-sex marriage laws went into effect in England and Wales in March 2014 and in Scotland in December 2014.

SCOTLAND: Another Secession Bid?

Yesterday's election in Britain may result in another bid for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) obliterated its opponents, taking 56 of Scotland's 59 seats in the Westminster parliament. The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats could muster only one seat each. This marked a spectacular gain from the six seats the SNP won in the last United Kingdom election in 2010. But with the Conservatives securing victory across Britain overall to stay in power, a wide divide has opened up between England and Scotland. The results from Thursday's election immediately put the question of another referendum on Scottish independence at the forefront of minds north and south of the border. Scots voted against independence last September but the SNP, which led the drive, has surged in popularity since then and eclipsed the pro-union Labour Party, which has traditionally counted Scotland as a stronghold in Britain-wide elections.

In the September 2014 secession vote, 55% voted no.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Thousands Rally In Support Of Anti-Gay Bakery

Via the Belfast Telegraph:

Hundreds of people including three senior DUP politicians had to be refused entry to a full-to-capacity Waterfront Hall in Belfast last night as thousands of Christians turned up for a rally in support of the Newtownabbey bakery firm which is going to court to defend their refusal to bake a cake for a gay activist. Former ministers Sammy Wilson and Edwin Poots joined the current Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey in a crowd which sang hymns outside the Waterfront as inside, Daniel McArthur, the manager of the Ashers Baking Company, vowed that he and his family would not back down in the dispute over his family's decision to cancel an order for a cake because of a request for it to be decorated with a slogan supporting gay marriage. Officials from the Christian Institute, who are supporting the McArthur family's legal action at Belfast County Court, had to close the hall before the rally was due to start because all seats were taken. Deputy director Simon Calvert apologised to the hundreds of people who were refused admission and there were cheers as he explained that the support had overwhelmed the hall's limits.

The bakery had been asked to make a cake featuring Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie with the message "Support Gay Marriage." The court case opens today and the bakery is being represented by the anti-gay Christian Institute, which has been pushing for a "conscience clause" bill similar to the the "license to discriminate" bills seen in the United States. Among last night's speakers was British bed and breakfast owner Hazelmary Bull, who fought and lost a years-long court battle after being fined for turning away a gay couple. Television cameras were not permitted inside the hall.

BRITAIN: Stephen Fry Gets Married

NORTHERN IRELAND: Marriage Suit Filed

Via Buzzfeed:

A same-sex couple in Northern Ireland have launched a long-awaited legal challenge to the region’s continued ban on same-sex marriage in a move that could bring marriage equality to the whole of the UK. The pair have filed a case in Belfast’s High Court, where they will argue that the continued ban on same-sex marriage breaches human rights law. England, Wales, and Scotland began allowing same-sex marriages last year, leaving Northern Ireland as the only part of the UK where they remain illegal and unrecognised. The couple, who are bringing the case anonymously, currently reside in Northern Ireland but were married in England last year. Despite being legally married in one part of the UK, in the eyes of Northern Irish law they are only considered to have a civil partnership.

RELATED: Ireland's national referendum on marriage will take place in May. The government is backing the "yes" side and easy passage is expected.

SCOTLAND: Same-Sex Marriages Begin!

Scotland's Marriage & Civil Partnership Bill came into effect on December 16th and as of midnight local time today the 15-day waiting period for the first round of licenses has expired. New Year's Eve is known as Hogmanay in Scotland, so congrats to all the Hogmanay newlyweds! More photos and video of the above ceremony are here.

SCOTLAND: Same-Sex Marriages Begin

BRITAIN: Those In Civil Partnerships May Now Convert Them Into Marriages

Same-sex marriage commenced in England and Wales on March 29th, but it was only beginning yesterday that those already in civil partnerships could opt to convert into marriages.

Couples already in civil partnerships may opt for a simple conversion at a register office, or a two-stage process, which includes a ceremony at a venue of their choice. The latter allows couples to choose a religious venue, hotel or other venue to host their conversion ceremony. A superintendent registrar must be present for the first part of the conversion, and a religious figure may take over to conduct the rest of the ceremony. The legal formation of the marriage is conducted by the registrar, not the religious minister, unlike in a same-sex marriage for a couple not in a partnership.

Same-sex marriages commence in Scotland on New Year's Eve. Northern Ireland legalized civil partnerships in 2005 but marriage remains banned.

Scotland Marriages Begin December 31st

Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Scotland on December 31st.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 will come into force on 16 December, meaning couples can register to marry then. Following the usual 15 day notice period for marriages, the first same-sex weddings will take place on 31 December 2014. Scottish couples already in Civil Partnerships will be able to convert to marriage from the same date, 16 December, by making an appointment at a register office. Those who wish to convert to marriage with a full marriage ceremony will be able to do so from 31 December, and regular marriage fees will then apply. For married transgender people, today’s announcement also brought the news that from 16 December they will no longer be forced to divorce the person they love before they are allowed to have the gender they live as recognised in law.

Morrissey Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

Morrissey yesterday revealed a recent cancer diagnosis. Via BBC News:

The ex-Smiths star has recently battled bouts of ill health but revealed the cancer news during an email interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo. "I have had four cancer-scrapings, but so what. If I die, I die," he wrote. "If I don't, then I don't. As I sit here today I feel very well." The singer started his latest European tour in Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday. In the exchange with journalist Javier Blanquez, he wrote: "I know I look quite bad on recent photographs, but I am afraid this is what illness does to the overall countenance. I will save relaxation for when I'm dead." Morrissey's representatives were not available to comment. The announcement comes after the star cancelled part of a US tour when he was treated in hospital for a respiratory infection in June. He also scrapped 22 US concerts last year due to ill health. His other recent ailments have included pneumonia, an ulcer, the throat condition Barrett's oesophagus and anaemia.

(Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

MOROCCO: British Government Works To Free Tourist Jailed For Homosexuality

The British Foreign Office is working to free a tourist who was sentenced to four months in prison for "homosexual acts" after being arrested while vacationing in Morocco. Via BBC News:

Ray Cole, from Deal, Kent, was detained with his Moroccan partner by police who approached the pair at a bus stop in Marrakesh last month, his family said. His son Adrian Cole said the retired magazine publisher, 69, was jailed for four months on Thursday. Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke warned travelers that Morocco was unsafe for British tourists. The Conservative MP told the Pink News: "I have been doing all I can to help free Mr Cole from these appalling charges. "I urge people not to visit Morocco. If you go there you are at serious risk of facing trumped up charges for medieval crimes. The message is clear: Morocco is not safe for British tourists." Foreign Office guidelines state that homosexuality is a criminal offense in Morocco and sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.

More from Pink News:

Mr Cole’s son Adrian Cole told Pink News that the Moroccan authorities failed to notify his family or the British Consulate of the arrest, and Mr Cole was feared missing for nearly a week before he was eventually able to get in contact. Both Mr Cole and Mr Jam Wald Nass were sentenced to four months in prison on October 2, when police searched Mr Cole’s mobile phone and found a photograph of the two men together, which was used in court as ‘proof’ of homosexual acts. Adrian Cole said: “The trial was a complete farce, it was just farcical. They’ve gone through his phone and found photographs that they’re using as evidence for a homosexual act.” The Foreign and Commonwealth Office told Pink News: “We can confirm the detention of a British national in Morocco. We are providing consular assistance.”

Cole's son is also gay and says that he risked imprisonment himself merely by attending his father's trial. An online petition to Moroccan authorities has been launched and there's a #FreeRayCole hashtag on Twitter.

RELATED: Morocco is about the same size and population as California. According to Pew Research, Morocco is 99.9% Muslim. Anti-homosexuality laws are sporadically enforced in tourist areas and prison terms are relatively short compared to some African nations. Perhaps obviously, LGBT Moroccans have zero civil rights.

Jimmy Somerville - Back To Me

NORTHERN IRELAND: Sinn Fein Calls For Referendum On Reuniting Ireland

Hot on the heels of Scotland's rejection of independence from the United Kingdom, Sinn Fein is calling for a referendum on reuniting Northern Ireland with Ireland. Via Reuters:

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said Scotland's "inspiring" referendum on independence would accelerate a vote to unite Ireland, a prospect quickly dismissed by Unionists who share power in Northern Ireland. Scotland spurned independence in a historic vote that threatened to rip the United Kingdom apart but an electrifying campaign has emboldened separatist movements across Europe from Catalonia to Flanders. Predominantly Catholic Nationalists in Northern Ireland, who remained part of United Kingdom in a northern province dominated by Protestants after the Irish state secured independence from Britain in 1921, maintained a studied silence in recent weeks. Although the pro-British Protestants still make up a majority of the Northern Irish population, Nationalist leader Adams intensified his push for a border poll – which is allowed no more than once every seven years under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement peace deal. Sinn Fein has argued that under the terms of the agreement, there is a right to a referendum and that there should be a debate on the issue. "The campaign in Scotland will accelerate that entire process," Adams told Irish national broadcaster RTE.

In the last major poll on the issue, a slim majority of Catholics in Northern Ireland favored remaining part of the United Kingdom. (Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

RELATED: According to the Campaign For A United Ireland, numerous American state and municipal legislative bodies have issued resolutions in support of unification. 

Streaming: New Holly Johnson Album

The first new album in 15 years from former Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson is streaming in full today at the Guardian. I'm really digging it. Ordering details and tour info is here.

Open Thread: Scotland Poll ResultsUPDATE: BBC Calls It, "The UK Survives"

The polls have closed in Scotland and the votes are being tabulated. Since there was no exit polling, all eyes are on the 32 Scottish councils as they report their results. The first reports are expected at around 9PM Eastern time and we should know if the world has a new independent country about five hours later. The Guardian will be updating the returns at the above link.

UPDATE: Glasgow voted YES for independence, but the margin was smaller than expected. Once Glasgow reported, the BBC immediately called it. "There will be no independent Scotland."

Glasgow - Scotland's biggest city - votes for independence BUT it won't be enough. The UK survives
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) September 19, 2014

My YES friends, let's turn our passion towards ensuring the Devo Max promises the Westminster establishment have made to us are delivered

— Alan Cumming (@Alancumming) September 19, 2014

I've spoken to Alistair Darling - and congratulated him on an well-fought campaign. #indyref

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 19, 2014

Annie Lennox - I Put A Spell On You

Today's Front Pages In Great Britain

More here. (Tipped by JMG reader Kyle)

Scotland Goes To The Polls

Via the BBC:

People in Scotland are voting on whether the country should stay in the UK or become an independent nation. Voters will answer "Yes" or "No" to the referendum question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" With 4,285,323 people - 97% of the electorate - registered to vote, it is expected to be the busiest day in Scottish electoral history. Votes will be cast at 5,579 polling stations until 22:00 on Thursday. The result is expected on Friday morning. Strict rules mean the BBC - in common with other broadcasters - is not allowed to report details of campaigning until after the polls close. Once the polls have closed, ballot papers will be counted in each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas. These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland. After votes have been tallied, the counting officer in each area will communicate the result to the chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly in Edinburgh. With her approval they will then make a declaration of the result,.

Headline Of The Day

Today might be the last day of the United Kingdom as we've known it. CNN reports that last minute polls remain in a dead heat.

Politicians are making their final pleas to Scottish voters Wednesday, the last day of campaigning before they head to the polls to vote on independence. Opinion polls put the two sides neck-and-neck ahead of Thursday's historic referendum, which could see Scotland split from the United Kingdom. The latest poll of polls, released Wednesday by ScotCen, an independent research center, shows "no" at 51% and "yes" at 49%, with "don't know" voters excluded. It is consistent with results over the past week or so, which have indicated the race is too close to call. Polls suggest around 8% of voters remain undecided, making their votes crucial to deciding the outcome of the referendum.

As the vote nears, emotions are running high on both sides of the divide. There were chaotic scenes as Labour Party leader Ed Miliband met with members of the public on Tuesday, forcing him to cut short a meet and greet. Prime Minister David Cameron pleaded on a visit to Aberdeen this week for Scotland to stay in the union. If they leave there will be no return, he warned, saying, "This is a once-and-for-all decision." Cameron will face tough questions over the effectiveness of the pro-union "Better Together" campaign if Scotland opts to leave, with critics accusing the main parties in Westminster of complacency over the vote. They have also questioned the promise of more powers for Scotland if it stays, warning that England and Wales should not lose out.

Separatist movements around the world are hanging on every bit of news out of Scotland.