Challenging Prejudice: Changing Attitudes Towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland welcomes the report of the Hearts and Minds Group Group, published this week. The final report from the LGBT Hearts and Minds Agenda Group was launched and presented to Stewart Maxwell MSP, Minister for Communities and Sport, on the 27th February at a Ministerial reception celebrating LGBT History Month in Edinburgh Castle’s Great Hall.

"I welcome the report from the LGBT Hearts and Minds Group. I will consider their recommendations on how we can tackle discrimination and prejudice, and work together to enable all our citizens to achieve their full potential and share in Scotland's prosperity." (Stewart Maxwell MSP)

In 2006 the Scottish Government set up LGBT Hearts and Minds Group following a seminar which brought together LGBT organisations across Scotland. This seminar emphasised the need for a group which would focus on practical ways in which to change Scottish society’s attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The final report recommends a range of actions for the Scottish Government and others in five areas: workplaces and public services, religion and belief, education and family, media and leadership and citizenship and social capital.

LGBT Youth Scotland had the key role of ensuring that the voice of LGBT young people was listened to throughout the life of the group. The report reflects that “LGBT young people are often the group who face homophobia and transphobia in their starkest form and are most vulnerable to their harmful effects.”

This report is a positive step towards LGBT Youth Scotland’s vision of LGBT young people having a safe and supportive upbringing; being able to grow up happy and healthy; and being able to reach their full potential.

The final report is available for download here.