LGBTQ rights in Scotland | |
|---|---|
 Scotland (dark green) within the United Kingdom (light green) | |
| Status | Legal since 1981, age of consent equalised in 2001 |
| Gender identity | Right to change legal gender since 2004 |
| Military | LGBTQ people allowed to serve openly since 2000 |
| Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation and gender identity protections |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Civil partnerships since 2005 Same-sex marriage since 2014 |
| Adoption | Full adoption rights since 2009 |
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights in Scotland are generally in line with the rest of the United Kingdom, which have evolved extensively over time and are now regarded as some of the most progressive in Europe. In both 2015 and 2016, Scotland was recognised as the "best country in Europe for LGBTI legal equality".[1][2]
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1981 and the age of consent has been equal to that for opposite-sex activity since 2001, at 16. A same-sex marriage law was approved by the Scottish Parliament in February 2014 and received royal assent on 12 March 2014. It came into effect on 16 December 2014 with many civil partners converting their relationships into marriages, while the first same-sex marriage ceremonies occurred on 31 December 2014. Civil partnerships for same-sex couples have been legal since 2005. Same-sex couples have also been granted joint and stepchild adoption rights since 2009 and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity has been banned since 2010.
- ^ "Scotland named best country in Europe for LGBTI legal equality". STV News. 10 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "Scotland tops in Europe for gay equality and human rights". The Scotsman. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.