Standing in stark contrast to One Million Moms' new effort to convince Marvel and DC Comics to immediately abandon all plans involving gay characters, a motion has been introduced in Scottish Parliament to acknowledge the wedding Northstar and to declare that "same-sex marriage should not be restricted to the world of literature and fantasy."

Lodged Thursday by Mary Fee, a Scottish Labour Party member representing West Scotland, the motion states: "That the Parliament welcomes the news that the Marvel comic, X-Men, will feature its first same-sex marriage, which will feature Northstar, believed to be the first openly gay comic superhero; understands that, in 1992, Marvel was the first comic publisher to reveal a gay superhero; notes that Northstar is not the first gay character to have had a same-sex marriage in the comic book world, and agrees that same-sex marriage should not be restricted to the world of literature and fantasy." It's supported by eight other Members of the Scottish Parliament.

Obviously the motion carries no legislative weight; they're routinely introduced as an expression of support (for instance, Fee lodged a motion earlier this month recognizing comedian Eddie Izzard's effort to run 27 marathons in 27 days as a tribute to Nelson Mandela). Still, it's interesting to see how, just two days after Marvel officially announced the marriage of Northstar and Kyle Jinadu, a comic-book plot development (or marketing ploy, as some would argue) has been seized upon to advance a larger, global social issue.

It's also worth pointing out the phrase "notes that Northstar is not the first gay character to have had a same-sex marriage in the comic book world," which is presumably a nod to Archie Comics' Kevin Keller, whose wedding in Life With Archie #16 also drew the ire of One Million Moms. The campaign by the conservative Christian group to have the comic pulled from the shelves of Toys "R" Us apparently backfired, as that issue quickly sold out.