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Motion · S6M-17902 · 10 Jun 2025

Celebrating 20 Years of Humanist Marriage in Scotland

Lodged by Elena Whitham Standard Motion 18 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament marks 20 years of legal humanist marriage in Scotland; understands that humanism is a non-religious worldview guided by reason, compassion and a belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings; notes that the first legally recognised humanist wedding took place on 18 June 2005, following a decision of the Registrar General to authorise 12 Humanist Society Scotland celebrants to conduct legal marriage ceremonies; recognises that Humanist Society Scotland has over 18,000 active members, and that, since legal recognition, its 133 celebrants have married over 100,000 people in Scotland, including some of the first same-sex civil partnerships and marriages; commends what it sees as the valuable contribution made by Humanist Society Scotland celebrants in delivering personalised and meaningful ceremonies in line with couples’ values and beliefs; notes that, in 2023, more humanist weddings were conducted in Scotland (7,691) than all other belief-based marriages combined (6,811); considers that the significant demand for humanist weddings reflects Scotland’s increasingly secular profile, with 51.1% of people saying that they have no religion according to the 2022 Census, and calls on the UK Government to follow Scotland’s lead and give non-religious couples in England and Wales the choice of a legal humanist marriage ceremony.

Supporters (18)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.