The fight to prevent discrimination against people in the LGBT community is to be ramped up in Dumfries and Galloway.
The issue was raised at the full council meeting where all members agreed to take proactive steps to protect individuals from abuse and bigotry based on sexual orientation or identity.
Lochar Councillor Tracey Little tabled a motion calling for the council to liaise directly with police chiefs to ensure hate crimes against people in the LGBT community are stamped out.
This comes following a recent public event where Pride marchers were verbally abused and threatened in Dumfries.
Councillor Little said: “While laws and attitudes towards the LGBT community have improved over the years, discrimination is still rampant and can rear up in several ways.
“The recent stats in the motion regarding the rise of hate crime against LGBT people are shocking, heartbreaking, and it takes my breath away that this is still going on in 2023.
“It takes time to overcome centuries of discrimination and prejudice, but we mustn’t miss a single second of that time.
“We must use it productively until we are all viewed and respected as the equals we are.
“If the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we’re all born free and equal are to mean anything at all, and if everyone is going to have the chance to thrive, then we have to be able to accommodate all kinds of diversity.
“Or, better still, celebrate it.”
The SNP councillor added: “We think our region is inclusive, do we? I thought we were being better here. But there was a Pride representation at the walking part of Guid Nychburris parade a couple of weeks ago who received abuse and threats – while they were participating in a local event that’s supposed to be for absolutely the whole community.
“I’m horrified and ashamed that bigotry still resides in our region.”
Councillor Katie Hagmann highlighted a published mission statement from the United Nations on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender
identity.
She said that there was much misrepresentation around the issue of legal recognition of gender identity.
Councillor Hagmann also referred to “abusive rhetoric” by politicians that is “trickling down and fuelling abusive speech on social media”.
The motion called on the council leader to write to Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire to ask what action is taking place in the region to address discrimination and protect the LGBT community.
The council will also review what steps are being taken the local authority itself, and The Progress Pride Flag is to fly from its buildings in support of local Pride activities.
“We do have to be a council that is open and loving to everybody, and we need to be a region that is as
well.”
