Within this text, LGBTIQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer or Questioning
Scotland prides itself on being a progressive country, but this hasn’t always been the case, especially for Gay men who were still deemed to be committing an illegal act by being in a relationship with another man until 1980. Sadly, making something Legal doesn’t change public perception or opinion.
Same-sex contact between women was never targeted in law, and never deemed illegal. Scottish society just chose to believe girls didn’t do, “that kind of thing”.
Scotland’s first Pride march took place in June 1995 with an expected attendance of 500, to their surprise an astonishing 3000 individuals marched through the centre of Edinburgh. As time progressed Pride became larger and both Edinburgh and Glasgow had separate Pride Weekends. As well as music and other entertainment, different charitable support teams attend to offer advice to the people attending. These charities could be mental health charities, HIV support groups, promoting testing and safe sexual practices.
Mental health problems such as depression, self-harm, alcohol and drug abuse and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, but they’re more common among people who are LGBTIQ+.
Being LGBTIQ+ doesn’t cause these problems. But some things LGBTIQ+ people go through can affect their mental health, such as discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, social isolation, rejection, and difficult experiences of coming out.
Around one in eight LGBTIQ+ people have experienced unequal treatment from healthcare staff because they are LGBTIQ+. One in seven have avoided treatment for fear of discrimination.
Healthcare providers have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to treat LGBTIQ+ people fairly.
Pride celebrations are about recognising your comfort in your own skin, and you encourage equality and look to reduce any discriminatory behaviours, allowing everyone to be who they want to be relating to gender, who they love or marry, and are treated in a non-judgemental, accepting manner.
References:
BBC News - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40731733
The Skinny - https://www.theskinny.co.uk/intersections/features/scotlands-coming-out-23-years-of-pride
Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/lgbtiq-people-statistics
