THE leader of Scotland's largest council has spoken publicly for the first time of his support for same-sex marriage, claiming it should not be seen as "a threat to anybody".
Glasgow City Council's Gordon Matheson has also revealed his hurt at comments made by the new Archbishop of Glasgow, Philip Tartaglia, about his friend of almost 30 years, the late Labour MP David Cairns.
The openly gay practising Roman Catholic has spoken about how he left Scotland in 1984 together with Mr Cairns in order to join a seminary in the south of England. But he left shortly afterwards while coming to terms with his sexuality.
His comments come the day before First Minister Alex Salmond unveils 15 new bills for the new parliamentary year, including plans to allow same-sex couples to marry.
It also comes on the back of comments yesterday by Scotland's leading Catholic churchman, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, that he "prays our elected leaders will sustain rather than subvert marriage".
Meanwhile, the Scottish Labour Party has also announced Mr Matheson will join its shadow cabinet, giving him a role over local government, although Sarah Boyack MSP will continue in her role as spokeswoman for the brief.
The move is seen as a reward for his resounding victory in Glasgow in May's local election, holding the city with an overall majority and beating the SNP by 17 seats despite predictions Labour would lose.
Party sources also said it fulfilled leader Johann Lamont's promise to bring in experts "from all walks of life" who would advise, share experiences and "help shape the future of our country".
Speaking publicly for the first time about his sexuality and relationship with partner Stevie Wallace, Mr Matheson tells how, aged 17, he travelled with Mr Cairns on the same coach from Glasgow to a Redemptorists monastery near Plymouth.
He said: "I had some growing to do and I thought it was better to do that away from the seminary. I was coming to terms with my sexuality at that stage as well, so it was a tough period for me. I do still take my faith seriously and do still go to mass."
The comments by the new Archbishop of Glasgow that Mr Cairns's death was due to his sexuality were described as "hurtful" by Mr Matheson, who also avoided further criticism of the Archbishop, pointing out his "embarrassment and sincere apology".
On gay marriage, the council leader said: "I don't see that two adults entering into a loving and stable commitment is a threat to anybody."
Announcing his Mr Matheson's role in Labour's parliamentary team, Ms Lamont said: "By inviting the leader of Scotland's largest local authority to take part in Scottish Labour's wider shadow cabinet, we recognise that our councils have a fundamental role in delivering the education, the care and the leisure facilities that matter to people, that they are key to creating jobs and driving local economies and we want to work with them to ensure they are able to deliver the best possible service."
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