LGBT

27/02/2008

A special reception to celebrate LGBT History Month will be hosted this evening by Communities and Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell.

The Ministerial reception at Edinburgh Castle will mark LGBT History Month, which is an annual event celebrating the lives and achievements of the LGBT community.

At the reception the LGBT Hearts and Minds Agenda Group will present the Minister with a copy of their report Challenging Prejudice: Changing Attitudes Towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Scotland.

The report details recommendations for the Scottish Government, and other organisations, on action they could take to change attitudes towards LGBT people.

Communities and Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell said:

"I am delighted to hold this reception to celebrate LGBT History Month.

"The Scottish Government is committed to equality and inclusion for everyone and this annual programme of events allows us to reflect on the achievements of LGBT people and the huge contribution they make to all aspects of our society.

"This Government believes that a successful Scotland must be open, fair and inclusive and provide equal opportunity and choice for all its people.

"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."

Presenting the report on behalf of the LGBT Hearts and Minds Agenda Group, Equality Network Director, Patrick Stoakes, said:

"We are happy to present this report to the Minister. We believe we have identified practical ways to reduce prejudice, and to move closer to a Scotland which truly respects diversity.

"We hope that the Government and other partners will welcome the recommendations, and we look forward to working together to take them forward."

For more information on the Challenging Prejudice report please contact the Equality Network on 0131 467 6039.

In 2006 the Scottish Government established the Hearts and Minds Agenda Group to consider ways of tackling negative and discriminatory attitudes towards LGBT people.

The Group is facilitated by the Scottish Government Equality Unit and is made up of representatives from three national LGBT organisations, Equality Network, Stonewall Scotland and LGBT Youth Scotland, and representatives from other LGBT community organisations.