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lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Equality Network
@lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
6.8K followers 90 following 560 posts
The Equality Network is a leading Scottish lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights charity
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lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
We've written & published a short summary statement regarding the Sandie Peggie V NHS Fife Health Board employment tribunal case & the judgment given yesterday. Much of the media coverage has missed key information, the most important aspect being that all claims against Dr Beth Upton were dismissed
Graphic with a blue to purple gradient background. It says "A short summary of the Sandie Peggie V. Fife Health Board and Dr Beth Upton employment tribunal judgment" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are at the bottom.
December 9, 2025 at 1:04 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Collaboration, partnership and coalition are more crucial than ever, as we work against increasing attempts to sow division and exclusion. We must work together to create meaningful change and a more inclusive Scotland.

Read our new strategy here: www.equality-network.org/resources/ou...
Image of stacks of documents on a table with a purple tablecloth. There are brochures for Equality Network and Scottish Trans in the bottom left, and in the right is the new Equality Network Strategy. It has an image of colourful outlines of people on the front. Image of a person with a blonde bob who is wearing black trousers and a black and white houndstooth blazer. She is holding a piece of paper and talking into a microphone. There is a banner for Equality Network in the background.
December 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Throughout the evening we heard from speakers who shared vital messages of support and solidarity, including: Older Dykes for Trans Rights, Lawmanity, Young Women's Movement and Zero Tolerance.

We also had an incredible performance by Will O' the Whisperer!
Image of a person singing at a microphone and holding a guitar. They have short blonde hair and are wearing a black jumper and a long black and white kilt. A banner for Equality Network is in the background. Two images on a white background. The top image istaken from the side, of a person wearing a dress with small leopard print who is talking on a stage in front of a microphone. A banner for Equality Network is in the background. The bottom image is of a person wearing a black jumpsuit who is talking on a stage in front of a microphone. A banner for Equality Network is in the background. Four images on a white background, of people speaking on a stage in front of a banner for Scottish Trans. The top left image is of a person with short grey hair, wearing a blue jumper. The top right image is of a person with tied up brown hair, wearing a red christmas jumper that says "sleigh the patriarchy". The bottom left image is of a person with very short grey hair, wearing a white tshirt that says "Solidarity forever" and white jeans with colourful shapes all over. The bottom right image is of a person with short grey hair who is wearing a black coat and a grey scarf.
December 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
We launched our new three-year strategy last Thursday in Edinburgh. It was an energising evening, full of solidarity, collaboration and connection. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, so many from across the equalities and human rights sector joined us to show their support.
Two images on a white background. The top photo is of a crowd of people standing in front of a bar, talking with eachother. The bottom image is of people standing and looking at a stage, they are smiling and clapping their hands. Two images on a white background. The top image is of two people hugging, from behind you see a person with short pink hair wearing a black hoodie hugging a smiling person with long brown hair and a long brown coat. The bottom image is of people sitting in a booth around a round table, they are smiling and laughing.
December 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
We are more driven than ever. Our community is strong, and we are not going anywhere.

Find out more, and join us: www.equality-network.org/our-strategy...
Graphic with a dark purple background. In a pale purple box it says "Our new strategy lays out how we will move forward together, work together, push back, sustain and protect what we have achieved, and move towards progressive change. How we will, despite challenges, make change together, for diverse LGBTQIA+ people across Scotland. Join us." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029"
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
We have common foundations that inform all of our work and approaches:

Intersectionality; Accessibility; Safety and Wellbeing.
Graphic with a dark purple background. In a pale purple box it says "These common foundations inform our work and approach:" There is a pale blue box, on the left side is an icon of a venn diagram, next to it it says "Intersectionality". Below this is a pale green box, on the left side is an icon of two interlinking arrows, next to it it says "Accessibility". Below this is a pale purple box, on the left side is an icon of a heart with a circular arrow going around it, next to it says "Safety and Wellbeing." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029" Graphic with a dark purple background. In a white box, at the top on the left side is an icon of a venn diagram, next to it it says "Intersectionality". Below it says "We recognise the relationship between marginalised aspects to our identities and/ or protected characteristics such as race, class, and gender, and how these can create overlapping, interdependent, and interlocking disadvantage and we ensure that our work considers this at all available opportunities. This means genuinely welcoming the broad range of identities and differences that exist in our community, in recognition of the positive value to be gained from embracing difference. We are committed to continued and on-going anti-racism work." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029" Graphic with a dark purple background. In a white box, at the top on the left side is an icon of two interlinking arrows, next to it it says "Accessibility". Below it says "We commit to doing the work to make everything we do as accessible and inclusive as possible for those with access needs including by providing alternative ways to engage with and participate in our work. We will communicate the needs and experiences of disabled and neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people to those in power and recognise that this is best done by hearing and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029" Graphic with a dark purple background. In a white box, at the top on the left side is an icon of a heart with a circular arrow going around it, next to it says "Safety and Wellbeing. Below it says "We recognise that the safety and wellbeing of our team is paramount to the work that we do, and to our ability to continue to do it. This is why it is a priority for us as an organisation to do what we can to ensure and better the wellbeing of our staff. We strive to make our work as inclusive as possible and to work proactively to continue to improve this. We want everyone to feel comfortable and safe engaging with our work and confident that all aspects of their identity will be respected and included whether currently protected by law or not." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029"
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Our new strategy is focused on four core spheres of work:

1. Our Network
2. Sustain and Protect
3. Engagement and Partnerships
4. Progress and Change
Graphic with a dark purple background. In a pale purple box it says "Our new strategy is focused on four core spheres of work." There is a white scribbly arrow pointing to a diagram of four concentric circles. The centre circle says "Our network - 1". The next one says "Sustain and Protect - 2". The third says "Engagement and Partnerships - 3". The outer circle says "Progress & Change - 4". The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029" Graphic with a dark purple background. In a pale green box it says "1. Our Network Our network is our core, that we build from to create change. Our network includes members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Scotland, partner organisations and our volunteers, supporters and allies. We will work together, build relationships and develop our community’s capacity and confidence, so we can work towards the other spheres in our strategy." In a pale blue box it says "2. Sustain and Protect In the current political climate, it’s vital that we work to sustain and protect rights we have secured in Scotland. We will work to monitor potential threats to our rights and support our network to understand and respond to these threats. We will work to support our staff’s wellbeing, and our organisation's ongoing financial security." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029" Graphic with a dark purple background. In a pale purple box it says "3. Engagement and Partnership We will use our expertise to work with a wide range of groups and partners, to create meaningful change. We will support our community to engage with and push for their rights, inclusion and access. We will work to combat misinformation and stigma against the LGBTQIA+ community. We will provide high-quality training and consultancy." In a pale green box it says "4. Progress and Change While we are working to protect and sustain hard-won progress in the current political climate, we will still look towards much-needed change for the LGBTQIA+ community in Scotland. Our focus on securing positive change will be led by the needs of our community, focusing on the greatest impacts on their everyday lives." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strate
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Today, we launch our new three-year strategy.

It lays out how we will move forward, work together to push back, sustain and protect what we have already achieved, and together move towards progressive and meaningful change.

Read more: www.equality-network.org/resources/ou...
Graphic with a pale purple background. At the top, in a blue arrow, it says "We are launching our new strategy 2026-2029" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are underneath. Below the arrow is a drawing of the outlines of a large group of people, going in a gradient of green to purple from left to right. At the bottom it says "Read more at: equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029" Graphic with a dark purple background. In a pale purple box it says "Today we launch our new 3-year Strategy. Our community is strong, and we are not going anywhere. We are more driven than ever to work together to demand, seek and enable tangible and progressive change for the better for all LGBTQIA+ people in Scotland." The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner. In the bottom left corner it says "equality-network.org/our-strategy-2026-2029"
December 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Today is World AIDS day ❤️

World AIDS day has been marked every year since 1988, to:

❤️ Fight the stigma of HIV/AIDS

❤️ Show solidarity with those living with HIV/AIDS & honour those we have lost to AIDS-related illnesses

❤️ Raise awareness of the testing, treatments & interventions available
Graphic with a dark purple background. In the centre it has a drawing of a red awareness ribbon. It says "World AIDS Day 2025". The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logos are in the bottom right corner.
December 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
We're supporting 'Let’s change the Act', Scotland’s campaign to decriminalise abortion and reform the Abortion Act 1967 - have you signed up yet to support the campaign? letschangetheact.co.uk and follow @letschangetheact on Instagram.
Graphic with a black background. At the bottom are two orange arrows pointing at eachother with orange dots falling between them to look like an hourglass. It says "Let's Change The Act - Time's Up for Outdated Abortion Laws".
November 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
We Can't Keep Waiting takes place this Saturday, 22nd November at the Pyramid at Anderston in Glasgow!

The event is for trans and nonbinary people only - sign up for your ticket here: www.outsavvy.com/event/30917/...
Graphic with a black background. It says "We Can't Keep Waiting - Take Action for trans healthcare!" "The Pyramid at Anderston Glasgow 22nd November 10am-4pm" There are two pink boxes. The first box has the Glasgow Trans Collective logo and says: "Glasgow Trans Collective" "This workshop will be an exploration of how Glasgow Trans Collective started our grassroots organisation, and will encourage participants to consider how they could get involved or start their own groups to fill the gaps in what our community needs." The second box has the U Belong logo. It says: "U Belong Glasgow" "U Belong Glasgow is a multilingual community platform established in 2020 and features BPOC, queer and disabled creatives. We are delivering a creative writing workshop exploring queer resistance."
November 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Excited to share that our CEO, Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy, will be a speaker at the Proud Futures Leading with Pride: LGBTQ+ Leadership and Changemaker Conference in Glasgow on Thursday 13th November.

👉 Find out more and book your ticket here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leading-wi...
Graphic with a white background, there are wavy rainbows in the top left and bottom right corners. At the top is the proud futures logo. It says "Leading with Pride - Thu 13th November LGBTQ+ Leadership & Changemaker Conference at The Social Hub Glasgow." Below that is a picture of a smiling woman with blonde hair, grey glasses and a red hat. It says "Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy (She/her) Equality Network. Panel Speaker - Creating Change in Challenging Times."
November 3, 2025 at 12:11 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
This month, the Council of Europe formally adopted Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)7 on Equal Rights for Intersex Persons. It is the first international instrument of its kind dedicated solely to advancing the rights of intersex people.
Graphic with white writing on a purple background. It says "The Council of Europe has adopted a new Recommendation on Equal Rights for Intersex Persons." "Read more in the caption" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logo are in the bottom right. Graphic with white writing on a purple background. It says "It is a testament to the years of campaigning by intersex persons, intersex organisations and LGBTQIA+ organisations across Europe to advance intersex human rights. To all intersex people in Scotland: we see you, your lives are valued, and we will continue to fight to ensure your human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled." "Read more in the caption" The Equality Network and Scottish Trans logo are in the bottom right.
October 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Under the current law, people who are pregnant in Scotland have no legal right to end a pregnancy and this needs to change. We're supporting 'Let’s change the Act', Scotland’s campaign to decriminalise abortion and reform the Abortion Act 1967 - please join us!

www.letschangetheact.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Our Policy and Campaigns officer Christopher attended the ILGA #FaceForward Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania last week.

It was an incredibly inspiring and energizing event, full of workshops, speeches and discussions with dedicated LGBTQ+ activists, building solidarity and movements across Europe.
October 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
How can you be a good ally to ace people? This Ace Week we asked our Disability and Neurodiversity Officer to write a blog post explaining more about asexuality, and how you can show allyship with ace people! Check it out here: www.equality-network.org/ace-week-2025/
How to be a good ace ally If someone comes out to you as ace, believe them. Remember to mention ace when you’re talking about LGBTQIA+ inclusion Include an option for asexual if you are asking people about their sexuality Don’t ask intrusive questions about ace people’s sex lives. Educate yourself about asexuality – a good place to start is our booklet; Including Asexual People in Services
October 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
It's Ace Week! 💜 Ace Week is marked annually, to raise awareness of ace identities and the challenges and barriers that asexual people can face, to bring together people across the asexual spectrum and celebrate the beautiful diversity of the ace community.
Graphic with the colours of the asexual flag in the background. It says "Ace Week! Oct 19th - 25th 2025" Graphic with a purple background. In separate boxes, it says "Asexuality is an orientation and just like being gay or lesbian, bi or straight it’s a core part of someone’s identity." "People of any and all genders can be asexual." "Asexuality is on a spectrum. Demisexuals and grey-aces, who only experience sexual attraction rarely or under some circumstances, are also included under the ace umbrella." "Asexuality is not the same as being celibate or unable to have sex." " Some asexual people have no interest in romantic relationships, and some do! People who don’t experience romantic attraction are known as aromantic."
October 22, 2025 at 11:40 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Join us for a free online intersectional equality, diversity and inclusion training session, on 30th Oct at 2pm.

This session is targeted at small organisations or underfunded/unfunded groups.

www.outsavvy.com/event/30908/...
This training will help you to: - Listen to the lived experience of people with intersectional identities. - Learn the best terminology to use about LGBTI people and others. - Identify barriers that people may face to participating in your service. - Increase access and tackle discrimination. - Integrate an intersectional approach across your service. Graphic with colourful circles arranged like bubbles at the top and the bottom of the image. It says "Free Intersectional Equality Diversity and Inclusion Training " Online Thursday 30th October 2pm" The Equality Network logo is at the bottom.
October 21, 2025 at 10:43 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Our next highlight for Black History Month focuses on queer, black writers from or based in Scotland. These are a mix of recommendations from our team and the wonderful folks at Lavender Menace 🪻🏳️‍🌈
Graphic with a purple background. It says "Black LGBTQ+ writers based in Scotland that you should check out!" "Shola Von Reinhold - A trans, black, working class writer from Glasgow. Their debut novel LOTE was released in 2020, exploring art, modernism, history and the erasure of Black and Queer culture, and how this can be defied." "Jackie Kay A lesbian writer from Edinburgh. She was formally the Makar of Scotland and has released multiple books, including “Trumpet”, inspired by the life of trans jazz musician Billy Tipton." "Hannah Lavery. A poet and playwright from Edinburgh, where she was also recently the city’s Makar. Her debut poetry collection “Blood Salt Spring” was released in 2022." "Mae Diansangu - A Black, queer poet from Aberdeen, who writes in both English and Doric. Her collection “Bloodsongs” came out in 2024". "Clementine E Burnley A poet and writer from Cameroon, now based in Scotland. Her work includes a collaboration with the Edwin Morgan Trust, using his work as a jumping off point to explore colonialism, place, and the erasure of queer and non-white people in European History and identity."
October 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Join us for a free online session, on 30th Oct @ 2pm, to explore ways your organisation can be more inclusive – What is an intersectional approach and how can you do it on little to no budget? What does “accessible” really mean? Can we really include everyone?
www.outsavvy.com/event/30908/...
Graphic with colourful circles arranged like bubbles at the top and the bottom of the image. It says "Free Intersectional Equality Diversity and Inclusion Training " Online Thursday 30th October 2pm" The Equality Network logo is at the bottom.
October 15, 2025 at 9:02 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Joy for All is today! We can't wait to welcome you to Norton Park Conference Centre, 11-4pm, for our market and community space. You can shop stalls from local artists and community organisations, do some crafting and find out more about new ways to start making change in your community. 💪
Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All". Below it says "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market! Join us for stalls from local artists and community organisations, crafting activities and making change! Sat 11th October 11am-4pm Norton Park Conference Centre Edinburgh EH7 5QY". On the left is a drawing of three pumpkins, one is short and pink, one is tall, curved and white and the other is tall and blue with a carved smiling face.
October 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Our Community Market Joy for All is this Saturday- Tomorrow! We're making our final preparations and can't wait to see you there🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Our final artist highlight is plantbotart! He is a queer artist, focused on making work about queer identity & nature. He will have handmade patches, prints and badges
Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All" "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market & Community Space! 11/10/25 - Norton Park Conference Centre". On the left are three pictures. The top picture is of a collection of collaged badges. The next picture is of a collection of blue fabric cyanotyped patches, they say different queer words on them. The bottom picture is a drawing of three figures in front of a pride flag bunting, it says "queerness is beautiful". On the right it says "Artist Highlight: plantbotart" Chris (he/him) is a queer artist based in Glasgow. He makes art focused on queer identity and our relationship to the natural world. He will have handmade cyanotype patches, prints, stickers and collaged badges made from magazines." Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All". Below it says "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market! Join us for stalls from local artists and community organisations, crafting activities and making change! Sat 11th October 11am-4pm Norton Park Conference Centre Edinburgh EH7 5QY". On the left is a drawing of three pumpkins, one is short and pink, one is tall, curved and white and the other is tall and blue with a carved smiling face.
October 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
Our Community Market Joy for All is this Saturday! We're so excited to see you there🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Our artist highlight for today is Chronicrafts! Their main goal is to put a bit more joy and positivity into the world, they'll be bringing a wide range of crafted trinkets!
Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All" "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market & Community Space! 11/10/25 - Norton Park Conference Centre". On the left are three pictures. The first picture is of different pride flag keyrings made of hama beads. The next picture is of a hat and glove set knitted in the lesbian flag colours. The bottom picture is of pronoun badges with drawings of frogs on them. On the right it says "Artist Highlight: Chronicrafts" "Roan is an Edinburgh based queer, disabled and chronically ill crafter whos main goal is to put a bit more joy and positivity into the world. To that end they’ll be bringing a range of handmade pride themed keychains, some cosy and colourful hand knitted hats and gloves and an assortment of crochet creatures along with a variety of other trinkets." Graphic with an orange background. At the top is a rainbow banner which says "Joy for All". Below it says "LGBTQIA+ Autumn Makers Market! Join us for stalls from local artists and community organisations, crafting activities and making change! Sat 11th October 11am-4pm Norton Park Conference Centre Edinburgh EH7 5QY". On the left is a drawing of three pumpkins, one is short and pink, one is tall, curved and white and the other is tall and blue with a carved smiling face.
October 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
October is Black History Month #BHM25 - CRER have organised an incredible programme of events over this month - see them here: www.blackhistorymonthscotland.org/whats-on

Our first post for the month explores the history and activism around the black and brown stripes on pride flags.
Graphic with a green background. At the top it says "Black History Month" and the Scottish Trans and Equality network logos. Below it says "What is the history of the black and brown stripes on pride flags? Swipe to learn more:" next to an arrow. At the bottom of the graphic is a progress pride flag. Graphic with a green background. At the top is a picture of the progress pride flag and the philly pride flag stacked on top of eachother. It says "The black and brown stripes on pride flags represent people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community. They also serve to highlight and centre problems of racism and discrimination within LGBTQ+ communities, which are often not acknowledged or challenged, and push for queer spaces to be more inclusive." The philly pride flag is at the top. It is a six stripe rainbow pride flag with a brown and black stripe on the top. It says "The Philly pride flag was introduced in 2017!". "This flag was created following the ‘More Color, More Pride’ campaign led in Philadelphia by queer activists, mainly people of colour. In response to high-profile reports of racism in the city’s gay neighbourhood in 2016, activists came together to demand more inclusion and intersectionality in Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community." "The black and brown stripes were added to ensure inclusion as a central value for Philly pride, and to mark the ‘More Color, More Pride’ campaign, and a legacy of activism by queer people of colour in the city." The progress pride flag is at the top. It says "The progress pride flag was then designed in 2018!" "The progress pride flag adds the colours of the trans flag to represent trans and nonbinary people, as well as the black and brown stripes in an arrow on the side of the flag." "Designer Daniel Quasar said about the flag: "The arrow points to the right to show forward movement […] and illustrates that progress [towards inclusivity] still needs to be made""
October 9, 2025 at 11:18 AM
lgbtiscotland.bsky.social
We've just released an accessible, web-based version of our report 'Still Complicated', which explores Bi+ experiences of accessing services and support, and how this can be improved. You can read it here: www.equality-network.org/assets/still...
Graphic with pink-purple triangles in the back. It says "Accessible web report released: Still Complicated, Bi+ experiences of services and recommendations for improvement." The Equality Network logo is below.
October 8, 2025 at 12:38 PM