Opinion: LGBT+ rights are under threat in Scotland – and Kate Forbes' recent headlines do nothing to re-assure the community
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
It's a really scary time to be part of the LGBT+ community.
The topic of LGBT+ inclusion has again risen to the forefront of media coverage in the last day or so, as Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes kicked off her leadership campaign to become Scotland's next First Minister by saying she would not have voted for same sex marriage, and would have voted against the GRR in December. Such an act of rebellion, under parliamentary convention, would have seen her leave the cabinet.
For years now we have seen a constant stream of attacks on trans people, which has undoubtedly led to people losing their lives.
At a UK-wide political level, there have been suggestions that the Conservatives are looking to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and replace it with a Bill of Rights – which depending on which way the wind is blowing when that happens, could put the rights LGBT+ people currently have under threat.
We have already seen their opposition to trans rights as they actioned Section 35 to block Holyrood's Gender Recognition Reform Bill – which was passed with a super majority (88 in favour compared to 33 against) that included cross-party support.
It seemed, then, that Scotland – the first country in the world to make LGBT+ education a mandatory part of schools' curricula – was ahead of their British counterparts when it came to inclusion for LGBT+ people. Until now.
I know of many LGBT+ people from other parts of the UK who have seen Scotland as a safe haven, who have moved here because of our more progressive policies and attitudes.
Their sense of comfort and safety has been shattered.
It is an all too familiar sense of foreboding, with many now scared of what will happen should Forbes become Scotland's next First Minister.
Let me be clear – I am not saying that holding religious views is wrong. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, regardless of where it has come from.
What frustrates me is the hypocrisy. When people use religion as an excuse for anti-LGBT+ views, they often ignore that some translations of the Bible also say different materials should not be woven together (Leviticus 19:19), interest on loans is sinful (Leviticus 25:37), slavery is okay (Leviticus 25) and that women should be subordinate (First Corinthians 14:34-35).
Scripture can be interpreted in different ways by different groups, but why is it okay for some to cherry pick the Bible and disregard a few outdated commands but not others? Well, there is a pretty simple solution to be drawn – the passages condemning LGBT+ people suit them, because they already agree with them.
If, then, a politician uses their faith to guide their policy and votes, that becomes open to scrutiny. It is not denying free speech to hold people accountable for their views, and it is not a witch hunt if someone suffers electorally as a result.
On a more personal level, I don't understand why there is such a rush to vilify LGBT+ people. Two people, of any gender identity or sexuality, getting married does not affect your own relationship.
How someone identifies has no bearing on you. Chances are, most of us have been around trans people, or gay people, or asexual people, and not even known about it.
Some people will tell you differently. Some people are trying to stir up public outrage at the mere suggestion that someone who has spent their entire life feeling uncomfortable in their own skin and just wants to live a normal life, just wants to blend in, is somehow a threat to you.
The sad thing is, it's working.
The current hysteria around trans people bears a striking resemblance to the anti-gay movement in the 1980s. The LGBT+ community, eventually, won that battle but suffered decades of damage in doing so.
Make no mistake about it, once either side wins the battle on trans rights, the same people who opposed gay rights in the 1980s and trans rights in the 2020s will find another target. That puts us all at risk.
It is no longer enough to say "it's not my problem". What the LGBT+ community needs is active allyship. If you see or hear someone saying homophobic or transphobic things, call them out on it. If you know someone who is LGBT+, ask how you can support them. Go to Pride events, make your own spaces welcoming for everyone.
The irony I see in all this is that being an active ally would certainly classify as loving thy neighbour, which is the overriding thing people should do to be "good Christians".
Where is that love for the LGBT+ community? Because right now, I don't see it anywhere.
