Scotland top country in Europe for LGBTI equality

Scotland continues to be ahead of the rest of the UK for LGBTI equality and would be the best in Europe if it were rated separately.

According to the European LGBTI organisation ILGA-Europe’s annual the ‘Rainbow Index’, which compares laws and government policies on LGBTI equality in 49 European countries, the UK has slipped from first place last year to third this year.

Malta is now in top place with a score of 88 per cent, Belgium is in second place on 82 per cent, while the UK has slipped to third with 81 per cent.

Scotland is not included separately in the ILGA index, because it is part of the UK, but if it was included, it would be in top place on 90 per cent.

Scotland has slightly better law and policy on intersex equality than the rest of the UK, while the overall UK rating is lower because there is no equal marriage in Northern Ireland.

Tim Hopkins, Director of the Equality Network, said: “All the parties elected to the new Scottish Parliament session had manifesto commitments to review and reform Scotland’s laws on transgender people.

“The SNP, Labour, Greens and Lib Dems – that’s 98 of the Parliament’s 129 MSPs – were elected on more specific manifesto commitments that would bring our trans laws up to international best practice.

“If the Scottish Government and Parliament deliver on those commitments, and also make progress on intersex equality, Scotland will retain its place amongst the standard bearers for LGBTI equality.”