By Lucy Ashton
On the final day of LGBT History Month, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP highlighted “steps that are yet to be taken” on LGBT inclusion including expanding training for NHS and school staff.
- Fully implement the recommendations of the LGBTI Inclusive Education Working Group, underpinned by new statutory guidance on the conduct of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education for schools.
- Improve laws on gender recognition in line with international best practice.
- Ensure that all NHS healthcare professionals can meet the needs of their LGBTI patients by incorporating training that addresses barriers faced due to both sexual orientation and gender identity
- Commit to funding mandatory training for mental health professionals, including front line CAMHS staff, on supporting LGBTI people, and ensure mental health and suicide prevention training delivered to NHS staff is inclusive.
- Ensure that LGBTI people can access welcoming and inclusive social care services, by providing targeted training for staff with a focus on those working in residential care settings.
- Ensure that NHS reproductive health and fertility services recognise, and address, barriers and health inequalities faced by LGBTI people, particularly by lesbian and bisexual women.
- Bring forward GRA reforms that give Parliament the opportunity to hear evidence, reflect and improve laws that will better support trans people to live their lives free from discrimination.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “While it is important to celebrate the progress that has been made in LGBT History Month should also serve as a reminder of the steps that are yet to be taken.
“LGBT people still face a number of barriers, some blatant while others are subtle, in so many different aspects of society. From health care to education, even little differences can have big impacts on someone’s development and health.
“There are simple steps that the Scottish Government could take. For example, helping healthcare professionals and social care workers to recognise LGBT specific issues and know how to address them would give patients the confidence that they will receive the best possible care. Likewise the Scottish Parliament was right to back plans for LGBT inclusive education but the implementation of this has been patchy at best. It’s time for a redoubled effort.
“I hope during LGBT History Month we can all take a moment to look at the challenges LGBT people are still encountering and support their fight for a fair, progressive and equal Scotland.”