Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · 14d

With a week to go until National #SNP25 Conference, we’re excited to bring you back our famous Drag Bingo night! All delegates welcome, OFI members and allies 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Get your tickets before we sell out!

Tickets and details via our Eventbrite or linktr.ee/outforindy 👇

1

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Jul 28

Join us this Saturday for our 2025 Conference, featuring @snp.org Deputy Leader @keithbrownmsp.bsky.social 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Any queries about the event or tickets, please get in touch at [email protected]

Additionally, OFI will be donating all proceeds to @tht.org.uk and @goodlawproject.bsky.social

A graphic advertising the details of Out For Independence’s 2025 Conference in Edinburgh, including a picture of the guest speaker, SNP Deputy Leader Keith Brown MSP.

Details include:
2nd August
11:00-16:00
Training and Conference Venue
Edinburgh
EH1 1SU
///this.moved.cargo
*5 minute walk from Waverley Station

3 4

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Jun 1

Happy #PrideMonth2025 everyone 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We hope you’ll join all of us in Out For Independence, and @snp.org in celebrating Pride Month together 💛

Today, and everyday, we celebrate LGBTQIA+ people as we build a better and fairer future, together, through an independent Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

1 2

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · May 4

To that end, this is a positive step to rebuild trust and prove that Party Leadership will openly engage with our membership over accountability.

In turn, we look forward to seeing if the reassurances given over Friday/Saturday will be reflected in Tuesday’s statements.

3/3

5

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · May 4

John recognised the last few weeks have been exhausting and worrying for the queer community.

He expressed how at a time when other parties are abandoning trans people, he reaffirmed his support for trans rights. And how vital our ongoing work is.

2/3

1 4

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · May 4

Yesterday, Party Leader @johnswinney.bsky.social proactively spoke with members of our Exec and @snp.org National Equalities Convener.

Part of our role is to hold the party to account; that’s made easier when we don’t shy away from hard questions. Which John emphatically did not.

1/3

Four individuals in a photo. From left to right:

National Equalities Convener for the Scottish National Party

Out For Independence’s Non-Portfolio Officer

John Swinney MSP, Leader of the Scottish National Party

Out For Independence’s Co-Convener

1 1 4

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · May 2

🚨 STATEMENT 🚨

Please read our holding statement regarding the status of the End Conversion Practices Bill.

We will release our full response once the Programme for Government has been set out.

OFI is incredibly disappointed at the news that the End Conversion Practices Bill is not part of the PfG

These last few weeks have been deeply challenging and distressing for the LGBTQIA+ community and we want to see these harmful practices ended in Scotland, once and for all

We’re grateful that the Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart MSP, proactively took the time to meet with us. Giving the Exec the opportunity to ask questions and seek accountability

To that end, we will put out our full response statement after the PfG is set out on Tuesday – which will outline our reaction, thoughts and outlook

We will continue to hold our SNP government to account and ensure that, should we be re-elected to Government in the next Parliamentary term, a Scottish Bill is ready to publish in Year 1 of the next Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government must stand in solidarity with our community

Yours for Scotland, Equality & Independence,
OFI Exec 24-25
SNP’s National Equalities Convener

1 1

Reposted by Out For Independence

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Apr 17

We need you to stand up and speak out, now! Trans rights are vital and we need everyone to work together to protect them.

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Apr 17

Allies: we need your support more than ever before.

We know that many people are feeling shocked and angry following yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling and are looking for ways to get involved and support the trans community.

Graphic with a Blue to pink to white gradient background. It says: 'Allies: We need your support and voices now, more than ever. Lets keep working for trans rights - together. equality-network.org/donate' The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right.

1 23 37

Reposted by Out For Independence

Equality Network @lgbtiscotland.bsky.social · Apr 17

Allies: we need your support more than ever before.

We know that many people are feeling shocked and angry following yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling and are looking for ways to get involved and support the trans community.

1 31 69

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Apr 16

LGBT Health and Wellbeing: 0800 464 7000
LGBT Youth: lgbtyouth.org.uk/get-support/
Switchboard: 0800 0119100
Galop: 0800 999 5428

1 4

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Apr 16

Our statement on the Supreme Court decision

5 9 17

Reposted by Out For Independence

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Apr 16

As a staff team, we stand in solidarity with the trans community and are appalled by today’s judgement. We are working to read and process the judgement in full and will put out further information in the coming weeks.

2 23 130

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Apr 16

We, just like the rest of the community, are disappointed and shocked.

We are speaking with our colleagues while reading the ruling, and will have more to say soon.

For now, we echo Scottish Trans’ sentiment – we know anxiety will be high, so don’t let any of today’s coverage induce panic.

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Apr 16

FWS have won their case against the Scottish Government. We will be reading the judgement as quickly as possible so we can properly understand what the Court has decided today.

2 8 16

Reposted by Out For Independence

Scottish Trans @scottishtrans.bsky.social · Apr 16

We'd urge people not to panic - there will be lots of commentary coming out quickly that is likely to deliberately overstate the impact that this decision is going to have on all trans people's lives. We'll say more as soon as we're able to. Please look out for yourselves and each other today 💗🏳️‍⚧️

15 380 960

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Mar 31

Join our LGBTQIA+ friends and allies in the @snp.org as we celebrate Trans Day of Visibility 🏳️‍⚧️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

💛 Out For Indy will always stand with our trans and NB siblings — and we’re proud our members elected a majority of trans and NB people to our Executive this year!

#TDOV25 #TransDayOfVisibility

A graphic with the trans flag in the background. A circle with the outer rim being the progress pride flag, inner rim being the intersex symbol, with text inside. The bottom displays a trans/NB version of the OFI symbol.

The title reads: Trans Day of Visibility 2025

The text reads as follows:

Today, on March 31, join us in Out For Independence as we celebrate the lives of our trans and non-binary siblings! A day to take pride in who you are; share the stories and memories of your journey; and raise awareness of the continued discrimination and disinformation against the trans community.

Together, we'll bring about a brighter, fairer and more equal independent Scotland!

4 10

Reposted by Out For Independence

nicolasturgeon.bsky.social @nicolasturgeon.bsky.social · Mar 27

Kind, compassionate and full of life. A politician who wore her heart on her sleeve and made the world a better place. She brought joy to everyone who knew her - especially to her soulmate, Keith, and her beloved boys, Lewis and Jack. Christina McKelvie MSP - I was so proud to call you my friend 💛

9 90 540

Reposted by Out For Independence

TIE @tie.scot · Mar 27

🤍

We are devastated that Christina McKelvie has passed. Christina was a remarkable woman: a force of nature, compassionate, and incredibly warm. We shared many values with her and know how committed Christina was to social justice, equality, and to doing everything she could to make Scotland the best it could be. In doing so, she was the best of us.

Christina was a formidable Member of the Scottish Parliament and one of the earliest supporters of our work. She played a pivotal role in ensuring that Scotland became the first country in the world to advance LGBT Inclusive Education. We will cherish the memories that we were privileged to create with her.

Our thoughts are with Keith, Jack, Lewis and all who knew and loved her. We will miss you, Christina.

- Jordan & Liam, Directors and Co-Founders of Time for Inclusive Education (TIE)

13 50

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Mar 27

We are devastated at the news of Christina McKelvie’s passing. She has been an empowering, kind and inspiring voice for so many within our community, and beyond — words can’t fully do justice.

Our thoughts, from all of us in OFI, are with her family and loved ones.

The SNP @snp.org · Mar 27

Christina McKelvie's partner, Keith Brown, along with her sons, Lewis and Jack, are deeply saddened to announce her passing this morning at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

3 14

Reposted by Out For Independence

The SNP @snp.org · Mar 27

Christina McKelvie's partner, Keith Brown, along with her sons, Lewis and Jack, are deeply saddened to announce her passing this morning at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

25 99 270

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Feb 19

“I think what it was an attempt to do was to try and improve the circumstances of a very small minority in our country, in the trans community, and to make life a bit easier for them”

“That was the purpose of the legislation, and
that was why i was happy to support it”

4/End

1 7

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Feb 19

“I do not regret my support from the GRR Bill.”

“It was the product of careful consideration by the Scottish Government in terms of the formulation of the legislation. it was a subject of very, very, very extensive parliamentary consideration of the legislation”

3/

1 8

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Feb 19

The full exert quote is detailed below, and can also be found in the linked article with @scotnational.bsky.social

www.thenational.scot/news/2494780...

2/

I do not regret supporting the GRR Bill, says John Swinney as Scottish Labour U-turn

www.thenational.scot

1 2 11

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Feb 19

We in @thesnp.bsky.social will always stand with our trans members and the wider queer community across Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

At a time when other party leaders cowardly kowtow to anti-LGBT+ disinformation, we’re grateful that @johnswinney.bsky.social remains steadfast on equality 🏳️‍⚧️

1/🧵

13 21 53

Out For Independence @outforindy.bsky.social · Feb 4

🚨 Out For Independence has signed this cross-party statement calling for Wes Streeting’s resignation after his engagement with anti-trans organisations.

Signed:
LGBT+ Liberal Democrats @pluslibdems.bsky.social

Rainbow Greens @sgprainbowgreens.bsky.social

LGBTQIA+ Greens
@lgbtiqagreens.bsky.social

A graphic of our cross-party statement calling on Wes Streeting to resign as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care after meeting with anti-LGBTQIA+ groups who advocate for conversion practices.

Signed:
Out For Independence
LGBT+ Liberal Democrat’s
Rainbow Greens
LGBTIQA+ Greens

1 15 47

Reposted by Out For Independence

What The Trans?! 🏳️‍⚧️ @whatthetrans.com · Feb 4

BREAKING:
A Statement calling for Wes Streeting to Resign. Signed by:

Rainbow Greens

LGBTQIA+ Greens

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats

Out For Independence

Citing recent comments by Wes Streeting on the Bayswater group.

We are disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised, to hear that Wes Streeting has met with and sympathised with the Bayswater Group as well as a number of other groups advocating for anti-LGBTQIA+ conversion practices.

We are disturbed by the fact that Wes Streeting and the UK Labour government have no intention of working positively or in good faith with any LGBTQIA+ groups; instead they choose to do the opposite.

It has been shown numerous times how the Bayswater Group have caused harm. As we have previously seen, via their work with Miriam Cates and the Conservative Government, they have worked to block any Conversion Practices ban.

It has been reported that trans young people met with Streeting, begging and pleading for there not to be a ban on puberty blockers but Streeting's actions have since proven his sympathies are with those seeking to cause us harm.

Whilst the UK Labour Government continues to work with these anti-trans hate groups, we have no faith that there will be a UK-wide trans-inclusive Conversion Practices Ban.

This follows on from Wes Streeting's work continuing the Conservatives' ban on puberty blockers, as well as his continued push to implement the fatally flawed Cass Review: a review which is also heavily influenced by groups advocating for conversion practices against queer people, and has been shown to ignore young trans people's voices.

Clearly, these are actions which both Cass and Streeting have in common. Therefore, we call on Wes Streeting to resign immediately as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Signed by

Rainbow Greens

LGBTQIA+ Greens

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats

Out For Independence

13 390 1.1K