Dear Sir,

I work with the charity Humanist Society Scotland and, in my capacity as celebrant, I conduct naming ceremonies, funerals and weddings.

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of conducting the marriage of two residents of Bermuda — a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony outside in the autumn sunshine.

The couple have been together for ten years, and family and friends, who had travelled from the world over, laughed and cried as I told their love story. After which, they took their solemn legal vows, and it was my privilege to declare them married.

So why am I writing to you? Since the ceremony, I have been reflecting with a mixture of sadness and anger on the fact that when their flight lands in Bermuda they will not be recognised as a married couple — just because Alex and Rich are men.

Since December 31, 2014, couples of the same gender have been able to marry in Scotland and, despite dire predictions, the sky has not fallen, the world has not ended and, in fact, Scotland has become a slightly kinder country, taking its place in the increasing number of civilised nations who are proud to declare that they treat all their citizens as equal.

Is it too much to ask the politicians in Bermuda to exhibit some moral courage, to face down the irrational fear and to become one of those proud nations?

ROSS WRIGHT, Humanist Society Scotland Approved Celebrant