Three MSPs - Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan - are expected to be confirmed as the contenders.
to make it easier for someone to change their legally-recognised sex, said the legislation was "flawed and does not command public support".
Several of Ms Forbes' backers have withdrawn their endorsements, with both Ms Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister John Swinney questioning whether someone who holds her views would be an appropriate choice to lead the party and the country.
On Thursday Ms Forbes attempted to reset her campaign, saying she felt "greatly burdened" that some of her comments had caused hurt, and pledging to "defend to the hilt" the rights of all people in Scotland to live without fear or harassment. Ms Sturgeon defended Mr Yousaf's record at first minister's questions on Thursday, saying that the issues faced by the health service in Scotland were shared by other parts of the UK and pointing out that Scotland has avoided strike action by NHS staff.Mr Yousaf, who is Muslim, missed the 2014 equal marriages vote at Holyrood as he was at a meeting, but supported the passage of the bill during its earlier stages in the parliament.
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