Stewart Maxwell Praises Dumfries & Galloway’s Progress
“While support for equality is growing in the region, there is still a long way to go. Many people are unaware of the discrimination LGBT people have to deal with, therefore don’t understand what the issues are. We need to ensure that the whole community, especially those who are in positions of power, understand the extent of discrimination, and how we can all work together to find solutions.”
Stewart Maxwell, MSP, Minister for Communities and Sport, visited Dumfries LGBT Centre on Friday 22nd of August. The visit was to find out more about the work being done in the region to provide services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Following his visit Mr Maxwell said:
“The Scottish Government is taking action to tackle prejudice and discrimination against LGBT people and to support communities right across Scotland.
“We recently announced funding of £1.7 million to the national LGBT organisations which will deliver a whole range of projects across the country.
“I was very impressed by what I saw on my visit to Dumfries. I believe that a successful Scotland is civilised, fair and inclusive and provides equal opportunity and choice for all its people. That is the Scotland that I will feel proud to live in and the work of LGBT Youth Scotland takes us much closer to achieving these aims.”
Dumfries and Galloway is seen as a leading example of how real differences can be made to improve the daily lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Scotland.
It's the only rural region to visibly tackle issues like homophobia and exclusion, and the progress of the work in Dumfries and Galloway overshadows the work of even large towns and cities.
Dumfries has one of only three LGBT Centres in Scotland, and the region recently celebrated its first Pride event, one of only two happening in Scotland this year.
Mr Maxwell met with volunteers, staff and service users of the various projects providing for LGBT people in the region, including the LGBT Centre, LGBT Youth Scotland and the adult project OUTfront. Mr Maxwell was very keen to talk to people to find out how their lives had been improved by using these services.