Good morning and thank you for having me along. It is very odd to be on this side of the table in one of the committee rooms.
With the United States Supreme Court legalising gay marriage in 2015 and Ireland having amended its constitution that same year, it is clear that unprecedented progress is being made for LGBT rights, thanks to the tireless advocacy of the community. That is great news, but the last thing that we can afford to do is to become complacent. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender acceptance has soared in Scottish society, and Scotland is a very inclusive place, but that alone does not equate to true equality. As a society, we are still too quick to label people and put them in boxes.
Despite their contributions to our communities and our country, too many people in the LGBTI community still face issues such as bullying, mental health problems, sexual health problems, economic discrimination and domestic violence in their daily lives. Therefore, we owe it to them, and to our young generation above all, to do more and to be ever vigilant. There is no time or place to be complacent.
The reaction that I got from people when I told them that I was thinking about setting up the group was remarkably consistent—they often said, “I can’t believe there isn’t one already.” To be honest, when I joined the Parliament, that was my reaction, too. I set up the group with the sole aim of bringing together political parties and parliamentarians, third sector organisations, charities, LGBT groups and individuals who need a voice. We recently held our first meeting to discuss the group’s aims and ambitions. I was told afterwards by someone from a charity who attended the meeting that it was the first time that many such groups had sat in the same room to share ideas, debate agendas and discuss a more joined-up approach to how we can help the community.
In an age when charities and campaign groups are fighting desperately for their own survival, the bigger picture is often forgotten and the smaller voice is lost. The collective outcome is secondary to the individual agenda. If nothing else, the group will bring together a wealth of experience and an unprecedented mix of views and opinions over this session of Parliament. It will seek to inform our lawmakers, influence our decision makers and lead the debate, not follow it. I therefore ask the committee to consider approving the group to send a powerful message to the rest of the world that the Parliament is not afraid to tackle these often difficult and uncomfortable problems head on.
I, for one, will play a proud part in the group and, along with my fellow co-conveners and other members, I hope to make the LGBTI community in Scotland proud that we do not just talk, but act. I hope that that action will start today.