by GINA DAVIDSON
Seventy two LBGT organisations have penned an open letter to MSPs, underlining their support for the government's proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act.
Sports teams, pride event organisers, national organisations and local support groups have united to declare their commitment to trans equality as the government consults on the controversial proposed legal changes.
On reform of gender recognition, the letter states: "We stand in support of a reformed Gender Recognition Act that enables trans people to more smoothly change their birth certificates to match their lives and other identity documents."
The letter also hits back at the creation of a new organisation, the LGB Alliance, which has said it is concerned that trans rights are undermining the idea of homosexuality, and supports the Scottish Government's current plans for LGBT inclusion in the 2021 national Census. Read more via Scotsman
Together – An open letter to MSPs from the LGBT community in support of trans equality.
We are LGBT groups, and organisations working for LGBT equality, from all over Scotland.
The LGBT community in Scotland, and our allies, have worked together for a better Scotland, changing this country for the better of all its people and challenging sexual orientation and gender reassignment discrimination. In this journey we have learned that as an LGBT community we are stronger when we are united.
In all our progress in working towards our shared goal of equality for all, we have proudly recognised and valued the range of needs and priorities within our diverse community.
Recently, we have been concerned by attempts by some to isolate the trans community from the wider LGBT community; this goes against everything we stand for.
Trans people are the women, men, and non-binary people that they say they are.
We are resolute and united in support of trans equality and human rights, as we have always been, and today reaffirm our support for trans people and equality.
We stand for LGBT equality alongside equality for all other groups – there is no real equality unless it is equality for all.
We stand for full inclusion in the census. People must be allowed to record their own sexual orientation, even if they use less common terms. Trans people must be allowed to record the sex in which they live.
We stand in support of a reformed Gender Recognition Act that enables trans people to more smoothly change their birth certificates to match their lives and other identity documents.
Signed:
Aberdeen LGBTQ+ Forum
Amazing Gracies
Auld Reekie Roller Derby
Ayrshire LGBT+ Education Network
Ayrshire LGBTQ
Ayrshire Pride
Bute LGBT+
Bute Pride
Caledonian Thebans RFC
Colinton Squashers
ConnexONS Fife
Dumfries & Galloway LGBT Plus
Dundee Frontrunners
Dundee Pride
Dundee University LGBT+ Society
Dunoon Pride
Edinburgh Frontrunners
Edinburgh Racqueteers
Edinburgh STRIDE
Edinburgh University Staff Pride Network
Equality Network
Four Pillars
Free Pride Glasgow
Glasgow Alphas RFC
Glasgow LGBTQI Substance Use Working Group
Glasgow University LGBTQ+
Grampian Pride
Hebridean Pride
Hidayah LGBT
Highland LGBT Forum
Highland Pride
Hiv Scotland
HotScots FC
LEAP Sports Scotland
LGBT Health and Wellbeing
LGBT Unity
LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT+ Conservatives
LGBT+ Labour Scotland
LGBT+ Lib Dems
Moray LGBT
NetworQ Orkney
Oban Pride
Orkney Pride
OurStory Scotland
Out for Independence
Out On Sundays
Outspoken Arts
PCS Proud
Perth Parrots Floorball Club
Perthshire Pride
Pink Saltire
Pride East Kilbride
Pride Edinburgh
Pride Glasgow
Pride in the Borders
Pride Proms Project
Pride Saltire – East Lothian
Queer Ephemera
Queer Napier
Rainbow Glasgaroos
Rainbow Greens
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland LGBTQ+ Society
Saltire Thistle FC
Scene Alba Magazine
Scene Radio
Scottish Bi+ Network
Scottish Borders LGBT Equality
Scottish LGBTI Police Association
Sisters Scotland
Shelf Satisfaction
Somewhere EDI
SQIFF
Stirling University LGBTQ+ Society
Stonewall Scotland
SX Health
Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Time For Inclusive Education
University of Glasgow LGBT+ Staff Network
Vale Pride
Waverley Care
West Lothian Pride
Winter Pride Scotland
See more via Equality Network