LGBT+ MSPs on the experience of being out in Holyrood

’s Paul O’Kane and the Scottish Conservatives’ Annie Wells to hear more about their lived experiences and the importance of representation in Holyrood.HARVIE received a mixed reaction when he was first elected to Holyrood in 2003 – one journalist told him he “shouldn’t go anywhere near equal marriage or gay rights issues because people will think you’re just the gay one”.

“Even through all of that, you didn’t have this deliberate culture war attitude of punching down against marginalised groups with enthusiasm, and that’s what the Tory Party do now.Harvie said a similar shift in “transphobia” could also be seen from Labour and the SNP, but that for the most part, “it’s at the volume of the dog whistle rather than the explicit attack lines”.

RODDICK was elected as an SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands in 2021 and was most recently equalities minister, stepping down after John Swinney’s appointment as First Minister in April.“In the bar, folk were joking about who might be gay, and it felt like I was back in primary school.“I don’t think there are more homophobes or more misogynists in politics, I think they’re just more bold.”

“I get criticism for that because people want you to be accessible, they want you to answer questions in a public forum – but you have to also protect yourself,” she said. “I was the deputy convener for education services, and I remember having a couple of homophobic comments directed at me, saying ‘this person shouldn’t be responsible for children’s education’.

“But I’ll always stand up for the issues that are important to me and to so many of my constituents and beyond.”WHEN Wells first entered Holyrood in 2016, her experience was “relatively okay”.

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Keir Starmer backs recall petition to remove rule-breaking MSPs from HolyroodThe Labour leader claimed 'the parallels with the Tories and the SNP are very striking now'.
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »

Abortion buffer zones bill backed by MSPs as stage three passed at HolyroodA bill to create buffer zones outside hospitals and clinics providing abortion services in Scotland has been passed. The bill was back by MSPs today at Holyrood and will soon become law.
Source: Glasgow_Live - 🏆 4. / 97 Read more »

SNP MSPs and activists join Grant Costello on campaign to become MP for EKChristina McKelvie MSP, Neil Gray MSP and Stewart McDonald, SNP candidate for Glasgow South, attended the event at Moncreiff Parish Church
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »

Scottish Labour manifesto 'to chart path to 2026 Holyrood election'Writing in his regular column for the Record, Anas Sarwar says Labour will restore economic stability and growth to the country.
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »

Sarwar plots Holyrood win at Scottish Labour general election manifesto launchThe Scottish Labour leader said Scots 'need a change of direction at Holyrood as much as we need one at Westminster'.
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »

Anas Sarwar rules out income tax rises if Labour wins 2026 Holyrood electionThe Scottish Labour leader described change north of the Border as a 'two-stage process' which involved removing both the Tories and SNP.
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »