I feel like she has devalued my marriage - SAYS GAY MSP PAUL O'KANE

Hardliner Forbes blasted over stance on same-sex weddings

A GAY MSP has accused SNP leadership hopeful Kate Forbes of devaluing his same-sex marriage to his husband.

Labour's Paul O'Kane also said Forbes was "out of step" with Christians over her opposition to gay marriage.

Forbes, an evangelical, has been blasted during the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon for saying she would not have voted for the equality measure in 2014.

O'Kane, who married his partner Alan in 2021, said the comments lacked "empathy, understanding and compassion".

He said: "I was disappointed to hear those comments. As a gay man, a gay parliamentarian and someone who is married, I found it quite jarring actually to hear those sorts of views.

"I think for lots of people across our country, it will seem unusual given we have a really strong consensus that equal marriage is part of the fabric of our life."

He said of the reaction from the LGBT community: "I think they will be hurt. I find it hard to hear because I have to sit across from Kate Forbes every day in this Parliament, and I feel like she devalued my marriage. I feel like there was a lack of respect.

"To say that marriage is between a man and a woman, I think clearly says that my marriage is something different."

He added: "I certainly think there's something about othering people and making people feel distinct."