As an inclusive, intersectional organisation we condemn the support given to Sarah Phillimore today by an SNP MP. Phillimore's antisemitism and transphobia are not part of the Scotland we want to see - bigotry in all forms must be opposed.
Out for Independence calls for the removal of the SNP whip from Joanna Cherry MP and echoes
@YSINational
’s calls for an independent investigation into transphobia in the party.
💛We welcome the NEC's decision today in adopting an official definition of transphobia
🏳️⚧️Trans and non-binary people now have protection against discrimination in the party
🌈We are looking forward to the adoption of the other definitions of discrimination too!
Today
@NicolaSturgeon
has announced
@scotgov
’s plans to hold an independence referendum on the 19th of October 2023 🏴
It is time to finally put Scotland’s future into the hands of Scotland’s people 🤍
We are disappointed that we have had to submit a complaint to the SNP National Secretary regarding John Mason MSP's question in parliament today.
🧵 1/5
As an affiliate organisation, we are not allowed to endorse or single out candidates. However, we are incredibly disappointed with the way this leadership campaign has been conducted and the tone and language that have been adopted toward the LGBTQ+ community.
We are thrilled to announce that
@HumzaYousaf
will be the keynote speaker for our conference on May 27th in Glasgow!
We hope to see you all there - there's still time to register at
We, at OFI, condemn Labour's attempt to ban puberty blockers for trans children. Puberty blockers are an essential tool for buying time for trans teenagers to explore their genders and decide if further transition in adulthood is right for them \1🧵
The new health secretary has defended the Tory ban on puberty blockers for young trans people which was challenged in the High Court today.
And, despite repeated warnings of the risk to young people’s lives, he added he’d like to make the ban permanent.
Due to safety concerns, we will not be posting individual executive member identies from our EGM. But will share their posts if they wish to make their own positions known. The safety of our executive is paramount and as volunteers we value mental wellbeing. More info email us.
STATEMENT 🧵
We want to thank
@JohnSwinney
and
@S_A_Somerville
for their time this evening and for the frank, honest, and open discussion about the LGBTQ+ community’s concerns with recent appointments, as well as the future advancement of LGBTQ+ rights in Scotland.
1/10
STATEMENT 🧵
Regarding the new Scot Gov appointments
We are aware of the real concerns within the LGBTQ+ community at the appointment of Kate Forbes as DFM, given the views she has previously presented. We share those concerns.
1/5
From all of us at Out For Indy, we want to congratulate
@HumzaYousaf
on becoming leader of
@theSNP
and, soon, Scotland’s next First Minister 💛
Oh, and Humza, don’t think we forgot your question!
Of course your family can come join us at pride, we hope to see you there! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏴
Mr Mason asked a question about trans women in Scottish prisons using derogatory, misgendering, transphobic language in clear contravention of the SNP's definition of transphobia as agreed by our NEC.
🧵 2/5
It is concerning to see that the UK Government looks likely to try to block Scotland's gender recognition reforms. The clear lack of respect for human rights, the lgbtq+ community, and Scottish democracy is incredibly disappointing.
📢We here at Out For Independence would like to thank
@NicolaSturgeon
for speaking out and standing alongside us!
🤝We look forward to working with the leadership and seeing real action taken.
🏳️⚧️Transphobia has no place in Scotland or in the
@theSNP
#OutForIndy
#Woke
This kind of behaviour is unacceptable both in our party and our parliament.
Not only was John Mason misgendering trans women, he was also further drawing public ire toward some of the most vulnerable people in our society and putting them at risk of harm.
🧵 3/5
The FM's team reached out to us last night and we will be meeting this evening. We are reassured by his swift response to our concerns and those raised by the wider community, and we look forward to being able to share the results of the meeting with our members.
First Minister
@JohnSwinney
says he’ll meet with
@OutForIndy
to discuss concerns about Kate Forbes appointment as Deputy First Minister
He says the Scottish Government is committed to a ban on conversion therapy and is currently looking at the consultation responses
If we truly care about vulnerable women in prisons, we need to re-examine the role prisons play in the justice system and the extent to which they are contributing to women's repeated victimisation.
🧵 5/5
Telling from Douglas Ross that he sees queer people simply existing as 'focus[ing] on gender or sexual identity'.
Drag performers are great storytellers, and over-the-top personalities, bright colours and song are mainstays of children's entertainment. Ever been to a panto?
It’s totally inappropriate to hold a show like this for kids under the age of six.
Story time for babies and young kids shouldn’t focus on gender or sexual identity.
That is common sense and on behalf of constituents who’ve contacted me, I’ve raised this with the council.
🧵 Statement from
@_KateForbes
"The First Minister has been absolutely clear that the Scottish Government intends to promote, to protect and to enhance the rights of every LGBT person in Scotland and I wholeheartedly endorse that position.”
1/2
Furthermore, the question of the arrangement of prisons, prisoners, and sentencing only serves to reinforce incarceration as the primary tool of justice.
Mr Mason noted that many women prisoners are survivors of sexual assault.
🧵 4/5
🗓Today the 31st March, marks Trans Day of Visibility
🏳️⚧️ We at Out For Indy, will always stand up and fight for the rights of our trans and NB siblings!
#TDOV
#TDOVScot2021
#TransDayOfVisibility
This is a full-frontal attack on our democratically elected Scottish Parliament and it's ability to make it's own decisions on devolved matters.
@scotgov
will defend the legislation & stand up for Scotland’s Parliament. If this Westminster veto succeeds, it will be first of many
The SNP is committed to ensuring Scotland is an equal and fairer society 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Here is a special message our party leader,
@NicolaSturgeon
💛
#BothVoteSNP
For avoidance of any doubt, Out For Independence is the only officially constituted affiliate LGBT+ members group within
@theSNP
.
We are an inclusive and open campaigning force both within the party and onwards to independence! 🏳️🌈
#LGBwithTheT
We are appalled at the dramatic increase in hate crime against trans people reported in today's numbers by the Scottish Government - an increase of 87% over last year, despite an overall decrease in hate crime during that period.
Out for Independence is appalled at the EHRC's responses to both GRA Reform and the petition on banning conversion therapy.
Both responses demonstrate a thorough lack of understanding of facts surrounding either issue.
🧵 1/14
The abuse that
@mridul_wadhwa
has faced is not only disgusting but deeply discriminatory. We at OFI stand alongside Mridul and wish her all the best. She is a strong woman and we are sending her all our love and support in the battle against transphobia💛🏳️⚧️
Blocking the bill is an all-out attack on a small minority subject to intense vilification. It is also an attack on Scotland's democracy and on devolution. It shows us that progress on human rights can only be made in an independent Scotland, free from Westminster interference.
Thank you to everyone who have attended to today's vigil. It was very emotional as we not only lost a massive powerhouse for LGBTQ+ rights, but we have also lost a beautiful human being who had a zest for life.
We are saddened and disappointed to see that the Scottish Government will not continue to fight the UK Government's unjust use of a Section 35 order to block the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.
For LGBT+ History Month, alongside our events, OFI are raising funds to help us campaign and secure a victory this May in The Scottish Parliament!
More information and link to the fundraiser is below - we thank you in advance for any support! 🏳️🌈
Nicola Sturgeon doubles down on previous comments, saying it is “obviously the case” that some critics of her gender reforms are bigots, via
@alistairkgrant
Sending love and solidarity to
@KarenAdamMSP
today 💛
Her allyship & dedication to the LGBTQ+ community, and many other marginalised communities, does not go unnoticed or unappreciated 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
A conversation about the level of abuse women in politics receive is now long overdue
At the start of this campaign, trans people said that they were concerned that candidates' rhetoric would lead to violence against the trans community. We are only a few days into this contest and already seeing candidates use the kind of language that can stoke violence.
🥳 Happy
#PrideMonth2023
everyone!
We’re so excited to be celebrating with everyone, and taking pride in who we are this month!
So, here’s to
#Pride2023
from all of us at OFI, and in
@theSNP
🏴🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
It was so good to catch up with first minister and first ally
@HumzaYousaf
and hear him speak passionately about building an inclusive, progressive Scotland where we celebrate our diversity and protect the rights of all 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We would ask that candidates reflect on their tone, language, and treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. At the end of this campaign, LGBTQ+ people need to be able to trust our party and we do not see how that is possible when this is how we choose to conduct ourselves.
Join us and a cross-party group of LGBTQ+ affiliates to demand Westminster respect trans rights and Scottish democracy
19th January, 13:30
Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh
#RallyForTransEquality
The disrespect shown to Scotland in the Brexit process has driven over 5,000 people to join the SNP in the last 24 hours. Stand up with us for Scotland - join today! -
To those attending the vigil tomorrow at 6:30pm. Whilst we are happy to see the outpouring of love for Leeze Lawrence (
@Ms_Leeze
) please remember to maintain social distancing and wear your facemask to protect everyone attending. Let's honour her memory in safety and solidarity.
This legislation was passed with the overwhelming support of the Scottish Parliament, and with support from all parties.
@HumzaYousaf
and
@theSNP
are standing up for trans rights and Scotland's democracy against transphobia and Westminster's power grab.
ScotGov is going to challenge the UK government's section 35 veto of Holyrood's gender reforms - "the use of the power on this occasion should be legally tested in the courts"
Out for Independence calls for the removal of the SNP whip from Joanna Cherry MP and echoes
@YSINational
’s calls for an independent investigation into transphobia in the party.
Out for Independence stands in solidarity with
@TransActivismUK
’s
#NotSafeToBeMe
protest happening in London today 🏳️⚧️
It’s time the UK government implements a trans-inclusive conversion therapy ban, and acts to end the toxic environment trans people face in today’s society
🏴
@NicolaSturgeon
: “This election, I’m asking you to put your trust in me and
@theSNP
to continue our work, to breaking down barriers and improve equality for the LGBTQ community”
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#BothVotesSNP
#SP21
The language that Douglas Ross used about the LGBTQ+ community is harmful and dangerous, and we are glad to see Karen Adam and
@MaggieChapman
standing up for us. We are one community and we and our allies stand together regardless of party.
More from us and
@RainbowGreens
👇
🏳️🌈DUNDEE PRIDE IS FINALLY HERE🏳️🌈
We will be gathering in Dundee shortly for what is set to be another fantastic Pride & theres still time to join us!🏴🏳️🌈
In the meantime here is a wee message from First Minister and ally
@NicolaSturgeon
in support of
@DundeePride
!
#OFIPride2019
Thank you
@AnneMcLaughlin
for ensuring the dedicated and hard work Leeze has done for Trans Rights is mentioned and recorded in your opening statement at today's Women and Equalities Committee.
#Pride2021
#RestInPower
If there wasn’t already enough reason for you to join us tomorrow in Perth!!!
Sir Ian McKellen will be leading the Perthshire Pride parade - a fantastic achievement for Perthshire Prides first ever Pride Parade!
Come march with us to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community!🏳️🌈
We did it Perthshire!!!
We are delighted to confirm that Sir
@IanMcKellen
will be joining us tomorrow to lead our parade and say a few words of support! 🤩
We couldn’t be more excited!! 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
We are thrilled to see
@HumzaYousaf
elected as the new leader of
@theSNP
- we're looking forward to working with you on furthering our party's progressive values!
Labour's article on Gender Recognition demonstrates, alongside their failures of basic humanity on issues ranging from child poverty to air pollution to the climate, that they are not a party of the left, of progress, or even a party that has values of its own whatsoever.
I didn't think it was possible to feel less enthusiastic about the prospect of a UK Labour Government and what this means for LGBTQ people until reading
@AnnelieseDodds
' piece on reform of the Gender Recognition Act 👇
📢 We're RELAUNCHING!
Out for Independence are delighted to announce that we'll be relaunching this summer where we shall elect a new executive committee.
Details:
🗓️ Date - Friday 5th July
⌚️ Time - 7pm-9pm
🏢Venue - Dalhousie Building, Dundee University
Guest line-up TBA!
🏴 Here’s a highlight of
@HumzaYousaf
's answers 💛
🏳️🌈 Will defend equal marriage
🏳️⚧️ Will challenge unjust S35
🩸 Committed to end HIV-transmission by 2030
🟰 Ban Conversion Therapy
🏥 Backs Buffer-Zones, at-home early medical abortion & 24 week access
🙋 Non-Binary recognition
✊ There has never been a more important time to organise and get involved with
@theSNP
's official LGBTQ+ wing.
🏳️🌈 You are valued, you are important and our rights are not up for debate. Join us in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights & inclusion! 👇
We are devastated by the Sandyford and NHS Scotland's decision to radically curtail health care for trans young people.
That they have done so unilaterally without a ScotGov response to Cass is doubly disappointing.
Please read
@ScottishTrans
response:
📺 WATCH:
@NicolaSturgeon
answer an important question on Trans Rights in Scotland on
@bbc5live
✅ Women’s Rights and Trans Rights are not competing in the reform of the GRA
🏳️🌈 Scotland is continuing its commitment to the reform of the GRA, with the draft bill imminent
📞’How can the SNP ensure the safety and wellbeing of trans and non-binary identities in an independent Scotland?’
Nicola Sturgeon answers Ben in London’s question on gender reform.
🎧
@BBCSounds
📺
@BBCPolitics
📲
#BBCYourQuestions
|
#GE2019