Successful LGBT Charter programme opens to businesses

Organisations throughout Scotland can now sign up to an initiative that boosts inclusivity and the experiences of LGBTQ+ staff, clients and stakeholders.

The LGBT Charter scheme, delivered by LGBT Youth Scotland, is a programme which has provided hundreds of schools, further education facilities, charities and public sector bodies with the training and tools to challenge prejudice while supporting equality and diversity.

It is now branching out into the private sector and is available to businesses seeking to improve their training and demonstrate their positive attitude towards people of diverse backgrounds.

Dr Mhairi Crawford, Chief Executive with LGBT Youth Scotland, said: “The LGBT Charter goes beyond mere accreditation; it represents a declaration of support for equality, diversity, and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Participating in this programme allows organisations to convey a strong message of allyship in the journey towards inclusivity and acceptance. We’ve seen around two-thirds of Scotland’s schools embark on the scheme and it is creating positive cultural changes. We would love that success to be replicated across the business world.”

With a commitment spanning more than two decades to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, LGBT Youth Scotland wants to ensure that all workplaces and services across the country are safe, supportive, and welcoming for everyone.

Anila Mirza at Historic Environment Scotland completed the Charter in 2023 and said: “Participating in the Charter Mark Programme has provided us with an insight into the areas where our organisation can enhance LGBT equity.

Through this programme, we’ve been able to improve our policies and practices, fostering a more inclusive workplace environment for LGBT individuals. The guidance and encouragement provided by LGBT Youth Scotland have been invaluable to us throughout this process.”

She added: “As one of the first heritage organisations in Scotland to receive the LGBT Charter Mark, we anticipate that our involvement will allow us to inspire the heritage sector to promote greater inclusivity for the LGBT community.”

The LGBT Charter offers a structured approach for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Through training, policy revision, and active engagement with the community, organisations have the opportunity to achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold accreditation levels. Each level signifies a deeper commitment to implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive practices.

Gaining Charter accreditation takes place over a 12-to-18-month period, during which institutions are guided step-by-step by expert LGBT Youth Scotland facilitators on training, policy, practice, promotional material and resources, and monitoring and evaluation.

Recent research from LGBT Youth Scotland’s Life in Scotland report underscores the necessity of such initiatives, revealing that 63% of LGBTQ+ young people still face bullying in school, while 22% encounter verbal abuse in the workplace, and 8% experience physical assault at work.

Moreover, 33% of LGBTQ+ participants expressed that homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia negatively impacted their employment opportunities.

Mhairi added: “These statistics highlight the urgent need for systemic change to create a more inclusive Scotland for LGBTQ+ young people. Our various accreditation levels give options to businesses of any size or scale and we look forward to hearing from businesses from throughout the country.”

The LGBT Charter is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Policy advice is guided by the Equality Act 2010.