Tag: LGBTQ+ community

Leading Scots charity calls for Edinburgh locals to share what Pride means to them

  • Campaign to empower LGBTQ+ community to share their stories
  • Leading Scots charity calls for Edinburgh to share what Pride means to them

A Scottish charity is calling on members of the LGBTQ+ community to come forward and have their voices heard on what makes them proud to be a part of Pride.  

The new campaign, #ProudBecause, launched by LGBT Youth Scotland, aims to gather unique stories and perspectives of what makes people proud as part of Pride celebrations.

Set to run in conjunction with the historical (Un)seen (Un)heard campaign, launched last summer, workshops will be held at five Pride events across the country, including Edinburgh Pride Youth Space on 22nd June.

Mhairi Crawford, Chief Executive of LGBT Youth Scotland, said: “After the inspiring stories we heard last year through the (Un)seen (Un)heard project, we’re eager to see even more people get involved this year with #ProudBecause.

“It’s vital that we make sure that voices of young people are heard within the LGBTQ+ community as they after often greatly underrepresented.

“This project will aim to give members of the LGBTQ+ community the chance to come forward and share what Pride means to them, this is a brilliant chance for them to share their stories.

“We’ve got a full calendar of workshops we are due to run this Pride and I can’t wait to see everybody out in full force celebrating what it is that makes them unique, it’s always a fantastic experience speaking to young people at Pride, and it gives me real hope for the future.”

Beyond physical events, LGBT Youth Scotland champions digital participation, offering an online platform where young people can contribute to the evolving (Un)seen (Un)heard archive.

This digital space ensures accessibility and broadens the reach of the campaign, allowing for a diverse collection of experiences and stories to be shared and celebrated.

When asked what Pride means to them, one participant said: “It’s a combination of celebrating who we are, celebrating how far we’ve come and sending a message that we need to keep moving forward onwards and onwards as the years go by.”

Another added: “Pride events, do kind of connect me to the history of LGBTQ people as a community.

“I think pride is something that cements these very disparate groups of people who only really are connected by the fact that they’re discriminated against for various queering features of themselves, it’s kind of an event that brings people together as a unified whole that makes them go: “oh wow, we’re actually not just individual people. We are a group of people”.

“I think even if somebody is an objectively extremely weird person, pride is a way to say “Look, I’m here, and I’m a human being that is here, now, in front of you.”

Launched in 2023, the (Un)seen (Un)heard project held 43 workshops, gathering almost 200 submissions from over 340 participants.

By integrating the key messages of pride, participation, and visibility, the #ProudBecause campaign and (Un)seen (Un)heard workshops are set to leave a lasting impact on Scotland’s cultural and social landscape.

LGBT Youth Scotland continues to lead in promoting health, well-being, and equality, marking itself as a cornerstone of support for the nation’s youth.

To find out more about LGBT Youth Scotland, please visit: https://lgbtyouth.org.uk/

To find out more about the (Un)Seen (Un)Heard project please visit: 

https://lgbtyouth.org.uk/unseen-unheard-welcome/

Most LGBTQ+ youth feel out of place in rural Scotland

MORE THAN six in 10 (61%) of rurally based LGBTQ+ young people in Scotland feel that their local area is not a welcoming place, according to a new report.

The damning figure has emerged as the largest ever piece of research involving LGBTQ+ young people in Scotland has found rural environments are the least supportive for community members.  

A survey of nearly 1300 LGBTQ+ youth from local authorities nationwide, found that homophobia and transphobia was more prevalent in rural settings than urban.

The stark findings come as part of the latest instalment of the 15-year-long Life in Scotland study created by prominent charity LGBT Youth Scotland.

Dr Mhairi Crawford, LGBT Youth Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “LGBTQ+ young people deserve to flourish and thrive no matter where they live, and this report highlights that there is more to be done across Scotland, especially in rural environments.

“The findings from this report underline the unique challenges isolation presents LGBTQ+ young people living in rural areas.

“This is further intensified by the absence of dedicated support services, which simply isn’t good enough.

“If we want to champion LGBTQ+ equality in every part of Scotland, we must amplify the voices of the young people in rural Scotland who know these communities best.

“Their lived experiences must shape every policy decision, steer each new initiative, and lead the charge for progress.”

The report has called on the Scottish Government as well as local authorities for greater investment in LGBTQ+ awareness and education programmes, as well as long term youth work to help improve inclusivity.

Minister for Equalities, Migration & Refugees, Emma Roddick said: “LGBT Youth Scotland’s Life in Scotland report is an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of LGBTQI+ young people, understand the challenges that they face, and measure the impact of our work to build a fairer Scotland.

“It is clear that many LGBTQI+ young people in rural areas face unique challenges, simply because of where they live. This is unacceptable.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work with stakeholders, including funding LGBT Youth Scotland to continue their research, to improve the experiences of LGBTQI+ young people no matter where they live.”

The study highlights a profound sense of isolation due to limited resources, sparse social support, and transportation difficulties.

Alarmingly, only 37 per cent of LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas felt that there were safe spaces available for socialising and expressing their identities, in contrast to 48 per cent in non-rural regions.

Additionally, the report acknowledges that despite significant strides in LGBTQ+ education across Scotland, many young people in rural areas have yet to benefit from inclusive education initiatives.

Moreover, people experiencing LGBTQ+ hate crimes have expressed a lack of confidence in the police’s ability to handle such incidents, prompting calls for Police Scotland to enhance support for LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas and improve the reporting process for hate crimes.

Speaking on the actions required to provide greater support, Dr Crawford said: “It’s crucial for the Scottish Government, local authorities, and funders to invest sustainably in youth services for LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas.

“While digital tools are vital, physical gatherings are needed to combat isolation and build community and improved wellbeing.

“Inclusive services, workplaces, and education, supported by programs like the LGBT Charter, are essential for LGBTQ+ young people to feel safe and welcomed in their communities.

“Every LGBTQ+ young person should have the chance to flourish, irrespective of their geographical location.

“If Scotland is to become a place where personal young people can thrive, it is imperative that decision-makers and service providers really listen to the insights of LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas and engage in collaborative efforts with local communities to craft effective solutions.”

LGBT Youth Scotland is Scotland’s national charity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQ+) young people aged 13-25. LGBTQ+ young people face unique and additional barriers to realising their potential and LGBT Youth Scotland works alongside young people to remove those barriers; working with young people individually and amplifying their collective voices to influence change.

The charity was recently awarded the Participation and Youth Voice award at the National Youth Work Awards for its work with the Trans Rights Youth Commission, and a judge’s commendation at the Proud Scotland Awards for the Charity Initiative award.

For more information on LGBT Youth Scotland visit: https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/

LQBTQ+ Charity receives donation from Amazon in Dunfermline

A Fife charity aiming to boost the representation of LGBTQ+ people in rural areas has received a £1,000 donation from the team at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline.

Pink Saltire provides a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community – especially young people – in smaller, more rural areas of Scotland. The charity offers many services including training, advice and support and launched The Hive LGBT+ Centre in Kirkcaldy earlier this year.

The donation from Amazon will be used to purchase specialist equipment for their new recording studios, which the charity will use to train volunteers to help them produce podcasts and radio shows.

Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “It is a pleasure to make this donation to such an important organisation.

“We are pleased to support Pink Saltire as its work makes such a big impact in Kirkcaldy and beyond.”

Chris Graham, an employee at Amazon in Dunfermline who nominated the charity for support, said: “Some of my close friends have been supported by Pink Saltire – it’s great that Amazon can boost the charity with this donation.”

Stuart Duffy, from Pink Saltire, added: “We really appreciate the support of Jamie and his team, this will make a big difference and ensure more LGBT+ people have the tools to really amplify their voices.

“We hope the work at The Hive will continue to inspire people across Fife and beyond, where sometimes its still difficult to be your true self.”

The donation to Pink Saltire was made as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.