Nicola Sturgeon: “The SNP will defend LGBTI equality and human rights against any attempt to roll back progress”
BY DIVA STAFF. IMAGE PRIDE/SNP WEBSITE.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a vote for the SNP on 12 December 2019 is a vote to, “Champion LGBTI equality, escape Brexit, and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands,” as the SNP launch the most extensive LGBTQI equality manifesto of any major party.
The SNP leader said the party would press for a world-leading package of improvements to LGBTQI equality, and use its influence in a hung parliament to lock Boris Johnson out of No. 10 and secure reforms from the UK government to, “boost equality and human rights.”
In a foreword to the manifesto, Nicola Sturgeon said she is proud that under the SNP government, “Scotland has become the best country in the UK for LGBTI equality – and commits to securing full equality for LGBTI people.”
What’s actually in the manifesto?
The wide-ranging manifesto includes commitments to, in short:
Put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands; Press for the devolution of equality, employment and immigration powers so the Scottish Parliament can fully protect LGBTI rights in Scotland; Publish the Gender Recognition (Scotland) Bill by the end of the year; Support reforms for non-binary people; Press the UK government to ban LGBTQI conversion therapies; Support efforts to ensure the provision of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by the NHS in all four UK nations; Improve discrimination protections; Support intersex equality; Press the UK government to improve its Turing Law and to reform the asylum system and advance LGBTI rights internationally.
“A fairer, more equal country”
“At this crucial election, a vote for the SNP is a vote to champion LGBTI equality, escape Brexit, and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands – not Boris Johnson’s,” Nicola Sturgeon commented.
“I’m proud that under the SNP government Scotland has become the best country in the UK for LGBTI rights, and is among the best in the world. We are committed to going further to secure full equality for LGBTI people.
She continued: “There is nothing inevitable about a Boris Johnson majority at this election – and as the main challenger in every Tory-held seat in Scotland a vote for the SNP on Thursday can lock Boris Johnson out of No.10 by depriving him of the majority he craves.
“The SNP will stand against the threat that a Tory Brexit poses – and defend LGBTI equality and human rights against any attempt to roll back progress.
“A vote for the SNP on Thursday is a vote to secure LGBTI equality, defeat the Tories, and protect Scotland’s right to choose our own future – so we can escape the Brexit mess and build a fairer, more equal country.”
What do other parties say?
Wondering what other parties have said on LGBTQI issues and rights? Check out this handy video for the BBC on what to look out for ahead of voting on Thursday.
DIVA has contacted the SNP for comment on those within the party who’ve expressed opposition to Gender Recognition reforms.
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What about transgender women we were promised about the birth certificate would change and nothing has happened.
We’ve asked the SNP about their stance on trans issue but they have yet to respond.