LONDON (Reuters) - Scotland voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to allow same-sex marriages, becoming the 17th country to give the green light to gay marriage despite opposition from its main church organisations. 
 
 The Scottish government, which will hold a referendum on independence from Britain in September, said passing the same-sex marriage bill was an important step for equal rights and paved the way for same-sex wedding ceremonies later this year. 
 
 The move was opposed by the Scottish Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland but the law will not compel religious institutions to hold ceremonies on their premises. 
 
 The approval, in a vote of 105 to 18 in Scotland's devolved parliament, follows similar legislation passed by the British parliament last year that allows same-sex marriage in England and Wales, with the first weddings to take place from March 29. 
 
 Scotland Health Secretary Alex Neil said it was "right that same sex couples should be able to freely express their love and commitment to each other through getting married". 
 
 "Marriage is about love, and that has always been at the heart of this issue," Neil said in a statement. 
 
 Gay campaigners said the vote was a milestone for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in Scotland and welcomed the Scottish government's efforts to advance the approval from an expected time frame of 2015. Currently in Scotland, same-sex couples can enter into civil partnerships. 
 
 "This is a profoundly emotional moment for many people who grew up in a country where being gay was still a criminal offence until 1980," Tom French, policy coordinator for the Equality Network, said in a statement. 
 
 The legislation to allow same-sex marriage first entered the Scottish parliament for debate in June last year despite opposition from church and other religious groups. 
 
 Under the law, civil marriage ceremonies can take place in any place agreed between the couple and the registrar, other than religious premises. 
 
 Opposing the move, the Church of Scotland said same-sex marriage fundamentally changed marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman. 
 
 The Evangelical Alliance Scotland described the move as "legal fiction" and a "blow to society" at a time when Scotland is about to vote in September on whether to split from the rest of Britain and become an independent country. 
 
 "At a time in Scotland when we are considering what kind of nation we want to live in, this legislation sends all the wrong signals about the place of marriage and family in modern day Scotland," spokesman Fred Drummond told Christian Today website. 
 
 The fourth British link, Northern Ireland, has stated it does not intend to introduce same-sex marriage legislation. 
 
 Scotland is among a growing number of countries as well as parts of the United States and Mexico that allow same-sex marriage. The Netherlands was the first in 2001, and last year England and Wales, Brazil, Uruguay, New Zealand and France joined the list. 
 
 (Editing by Mark Heinrich) ||||| Bill passed by 105 to 18 after several attempts to add extra protections for religious celebrants are voted down 
 
 The first same-sex weddings in Scotland could take place in October after MSPs voted by a majority of 87 to legalise gay marriage. 
 
 The vote, passed by 105 to 18, came after the Scottish parliament voted down several attempts to amend the bill to add extra protections for religious celebrants who opposed the new law. 
 
 The amendments were backed by up to 21 MSPs, chiefly Catholic and Baptist churchgoers, but Alex Neil, the Scottish health secretary, argued there were already "robust protections" for religious organisations and celebrants. 
 
 "We have always maintained at the heart of this issue there is one simple fact: a marriage is about love," Neil said. "All couples in Scotland in a loving relationship must know that they have the same rights and responsibilities and, regardless of their gender, the same opportunity to get married." 
 
 Religious bodies will be allowed to carry out same-sex weddings if they formally opt in to the legislation; individual celebrants who still reject the reform after their churches introduce it will be protected, after the UK government agreed amendments to the Equalities Act. 
 
 Gay and civil rights campaigners were jubilant with the result. Tom French, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said: "This is a profoundly emotional moment for many people who grew up in a country where being gay was still a criminal offence until 1980. 
 
 "Scotland can be proud that we now have one of the most progressive equal marriage bills in the world, and that we've sent out a strong message about the kind of country we are." 
 
 Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said it was a historic moment. "We're delighted that MSPs have overwhelmingly demonstrated that they're committed to building a Scotland fit for the 21st century," he said. 
 
 Scotland will become the 17th country and legislature around the world to introduce same-sex marriage. The first in England and Wales are due to take place this March. 
 
 Scotland's first marriages are expected this autumn, after ministers promised to rush through the legal powers. 
 
 The two main churches, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic church, have opposed the reform, alongside other faiths and churches including Muslim leaders. More than 50 ministers and church officials wrote to the Scottish government expressing their "deep concern" before the vote. The multi-faith Scotland for Marriage group said more than 54,000 people had signed a new petition opposing the law by Monday evening. 
 
 Opponents of the measures fear that equalities legislation could be used to force public servants such as registrars or schoolteachers to support gay marriage. Christian MSPs pressed for clauses stating "for the avoidance of doubt" that marriage is "between one man and one woman". 
 
 They believe churches could be refused funding or council buildings if they are known to oppose same-sex marriage. John Mason, an SNP MSP and Baptist, tabled several amendments to bolster the statutory rights of opponents of same-sex ceremonies, including one stating that no one could be "compelled by any means" to solemnise a gay marriage. 
 
 "If the parliament accepts none of these amendments this afternoon, we are sending out a signal that we've not been listening," Mason argued. 
 
 Richard Lyle, another SNP MSP, said prospective foster carers could be turned down if they opposed same-sex marriage. "What is more likely, yet not less tragic, is that applicants with so-called traditional views on marriage will be put off applying in the first place, fearing they will be branded homophobic," he said. 
 
 That argument was resisted by Jim Eadie, also an SNP MSP. "Speaking as someone who is both gay and adopted, I believe this amendment is both discriminatory and unnecessary because it singles out beliefs about same-sex marriage of being worthy of protection. Why should other beliefs not be similarly protected, for example a belief that divorce is wrong." 
 
 Jackson Carlaw, the Scottish Tory deputy leader, said there was a "celebratory attitude" during the Holyrood debate, and wholeheartedly supported the new legislation. 
 
 "There has been a huge change in my lifetime, from the brutal atmosphere that existed in respect of gay people when I was a teenager and a young man," he said. "But I regard today as a fantastic, celebratory change in the mood, style, signature and stamp of my country, Scotland." ||||| Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption MSPs applauded after plans to allow same-sex marriages passed by 105 votes to 18 
 
 A bill which allows same-sex weddings to take place in Scotland has been passed by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament. 
 
 MSPs voted by 105 to 18 in favour of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill. 
 
 The Scottish government said the move was the right thing to do but Scotland's two main churches were opposed to it. 
 
 The first gay and lesbian weddings could take place this autumn. 
 
 Religious and belief bodies can "opt in" to perform same-sex marriages. 
 
 Ministers said no part of the religious community would be forced to hold such ceremonies in churches. 
 
 Image copyright PA Image caption Equal Marriage campaigners gathered outside the Scottish Parliament 
 
 During a debate at Holyrood, MSPs rejected amendments which were said to provide "protection" for groups and individuals opposed to same-sex marriage. 
 
 The SNP's John Mason tabled an amendment stating that no-one could be "compelled by any means" to solemnise gay marriage, including by a contract or a legal requirement. 
 
 Analysis Gay and lesbian couples are allowed to marry in sixteen countries around the world. That includes England & Wales where the first same-sex weddings are due to take place at the end of March. In Scotland, the government says it wants ceremonies to become available "as soon as possible". The BBC understands that it will be October - at the earliest - before this happens. By the end of 2014, Northern Ireland is expected to be the only part of the UK that does not allow same-sex marriage. Critics fear the Scottish legislation could lead to those with a traditional view of marriage facing discrimination. But the Scottish government insists that freedom of expression is fully protected. It has yet to decide whether or not to open civil partnerships to mixed sex couples. 
 
 Mr Mason said that this was similar to a measure included in the bill passed by the UK Parliament allowing same-sex marriage in England and Wales. 
 
 Health Secretary Alex Neil insisted there were "robust protections for religious bodies and celebrants" in the bill and the amendment was unnecessary. 
 
 Mr Mason tabled further amendments, including one calling for recognition that "a belief in marriage as a voluntary union between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others for life is a belief worthy of respect in a democratic society". 
 
 He said: "This has been the prevailing view in Scotland for centuries, and may now be considered a minority view or even old fashioned, but it is an integral tenet of faith for many Christians, Muslims and others as well as the belief of many of no faith position at all." 
 
 Mr Mason added: "We have seen volunteers in the third sector removed from the board for publicly supporting traditional marriage." 
 
 The first same-sex weddings in England and Wales will take place from 29 March, in the wake of legislation already passed by the Westminster parliament. 
 
 In Scotland, same-sex couples currently have the option to enter into civil partnerships, but SNP ministers brought forward their Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, saying the move was an important step for equality. 
 
 MSPs were allowed a free vote, rather than along party lines. 
 
 'Not far enough' 
 
 Mr Neil said passing the bill meant "a historic day in the history of the Scottish Parliament", which received the front-bench backing of Labour's Jackie Baillie and Conservative Jackson Carlaw. 
 
 Gay rights organisations, including the Equality Network and Stonewall Scotland, and a range of other groups, have supported the legislation. 
 
 But the Scottish Catholic Church and Church of Scotland oppose the move, and have said they have no plans to conduct same-sex marriages. 
 
 And the campaign group Scotland for Marriage said the safeguards in the bill did not go far enough. 
 
 Image copyright PA Image caption Those against the move to introduce gay marriage protested outside Holyrood 
 
 Key measures in the Scottish government's bill include: 
 
 Religious and belief bodies opt in to perform same-sex marriage. 
 
 Civil marriage ceremonies can take place anywhere agreed by the registrar and the couple, other than religious premises. 
 
 Celebrants who are part of an organisation which has not opted in would not be allowed to conduct same-sex marriages. 
 
 Individual celebrants who felt it would go against their faith to carry out same-sex weddings would be protected. 
 
 Establishing belief ceremonies, such as humanist ceremonies as a "third form of marriage", alongside religious and civil events. 
 
 Authorising Church of Scotland deacons to solemnise opposite sex marriage. 
 
 Possible tests for religious and belief bodies to meet when solemnising marriages or registering civil partnerships, in light of increasing concerns over sham and forced marriages. 
 
 Introducing religious and belief ceremonies to register civil partnerships. 
 
 Allowing transgender people to stay married, rather than having to get divorced, when obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate. 
 
 Provision making it clear that the introduction of same-sex marriage has no impact on existing rights to freedom of speech and that it is possible to oppose same-sex marriage "without being homophobic". 
 
 Amended guidance on the teaching of the issue in schools. 
 
 And an intention to recognise same-sex marriages registered elsewhere in the UK and overseas. 
 
 Quakers have campaigned in favour of same-sex marriage and have said they would allow ceremonies to take place on their premises. 
 
 Other religious groups which back change include Buddhists and the Pagan Federation. 
 
 The Church of Scotland - whose ruling General Assembly last year voted to allow actively gay men and women to become ministers - has said the institution stood against homophobia, but added that the "wide spread of opinion" on gay marriage was reflected among members of congregations across the country. 
 
 As well as the main bill, Scottish ministers have also reached an agreement with the UK government for an amendment to the 2010 Equality Act. 
 
 Blessings offer 
 
 The move aims to protect individual religious celebrants, who do not wish to conduct same-sex marriages, from the threat of court action claiming discrimination. 
 
 Westminster's Marriage Act which became law last July, will allow religious organisations to "opt in" to offering weddings, with the Church of England and Church in Wales banned in law from doing so. 
 
 The Church of England, the Church in Wales and other faith groups have stated their opposition to gay marriage. 
 
 A report commissioned by the Church of England has recommended that members of the clergy should be allowed to offer blessings to same-sex couples. 
 
 The Northern Ireland Assembly is not currently considering any legislation to allow same-sex marriage. 
 
 The Scottish government's marriage bill was brought forward after a government consultation, which produced a record 77,508 responses.
– Scotland's churches want no part of the move, but the Scottish parliament today overwhelmingly approved gay marriage, reports the BBC. Scotland becomes the 17th country to sanction the marriages, with the first ones expected to take place in the fall, notes the Guardian. The Scottish Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland opposed the law, and they will not be required to perform same-sex ceremonies on their premises, reports Reuters. "This is a profoundly emotional moment for many people who grew up in a country where being gay was still a criminal offense until 1980," says the policy coordinator for one advocacy group. Scotland's next big vote will be a referendum on independence from Britain in September. (England already has legalized gay marriage.)