Speaking as the Scottish government prepared to publish the
results of their consultation on same-sex marriage, Lip Service
star Heather voiced her disappointment with the Catholic Church's
opposition to same-sex marriage.
"The problem comes with the Catholic Church saying, 'We're going
to be forced to marry gay people in our church.' That's
embarrassing," she said.
"I was brought up a Catholic, my family still go to Church and
they are completely supportive of me. But now, in all honesty, on
the happiest day of my life, if you really think I would set foot
in any building that would rather I wasn't there, then you're
having a laugh."
Heather, who played DC Sam Murray in the BBC3 drama, is engaged
to her partner, Ellie.
She continued: "I hate the fact that it's even referred to as
'gay' marriage. I don't drive a 'gay' car or eat a 'gay' lunch.
It's just marriage. It's all about achieving a sense of
equality.
"Calling it 'gay' marriage says to younger people, 'This isn't
equivalent to a man and woman being married.'
"Straight people should have an option for civil partnership,
not just same-sex couples. If you want a marriage that is something
to do with religion, fine. But non-religious straight folk should
be able to have a civil partnership, which they can't at the
moment.
"It's all about equality and it makes me ferocious that we're
still going on about it.
"People say, 'I wish they'd pipe down.' We'd really love to, if
only we had some equality and it would all be done with."
Heather, who is currently filming the new series of BBC drama
Waterloo Road, spoke out at the launch of STV's Charity Tea Party
Appeal, which raises funds for children in poverty.
She also said that cast members are concerned that Lip Service
may not see a third series, due to changes at BBC3.
"I'd have hoped we'd have been recommissioned by now," she said.
"There have been changes at BBC3 and I wouldn't be surprised if
they didn't take it up again.
"It's a bit worrying that we've not heard yet."
