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Out for Independence

@outforindy.bsky.social

The official LGBTQIA+ wing of @snp.org 🎗️💛 Campaigning for a fair, equal, independent Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Enquiries: info@outforindy.scot 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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Out for Independence@outforindy.bsky.social · 4w ago

Thank you to Brendan O'Hara for also signing EDM 240. With that, every SNP MP is now on record as opposing the EHRC Draft Code of Practice. We thank them for their solidarity with the trans community.

Screenshot of the House of Commons website showing that Brendan O'Hara, SNP MP for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, signed EDM 240 on 8 July 2026
Out for Independence@outforindy.bsky.social · last mo.

In one of her first official acts as an MP, Lara has now signed EDM 240 to disapprove the EHRC Draft Code of Practice. We would like to thank her for following through on her pledge, and to express solidarity with her in light of the abuse she's received from online trolls since her swearing in.

Declan@blench.bsky.social · last mo.

On that last repost, there was also a motion against the EHRC Code of Practice at Glasgow's full council yesterday, proposed by me and seconded by Cllr McGill (ward 21). Unfortunately it was too far down the order paper for us to get to it but I will try to bring it back.

Council notes with deep concern the laying before Parliament on 21 May 2026 of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's updated Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations. While gender reassignment remains a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, meaning trans people are legally protected from discrimination and harassment in all settings, leading trans rights organisations have condemned the updated Code as leaving "trans people in the UK today with fewer rights than they had prior to last year's Supreme Court ruling," and as having "weakened protections for the LGBTQ+ community as a whole." Council further notes that the Good Law Project has argued the Code treats trans people as a third sex, suggesting they be directed to separate spaces while entirely ignoring the harm this causes and the requirements of human rights law. Council applauds opposition to the Code of Practice from trade unions such as Unison and the Fire Brigade Union, and their calls for the Equality Act itself to be amended. It notes Early Day Motion 240, in the name of Nadia Whittome, which calls for the Code of Practice to be disapproved, and applauds the MPs who have put their name to it. Council expresses concern that implementation of the Code of Practice as drafted risks undermining the UK's obligations arising under the European Convention on Human Rights as part of our membership of the Council of Europe, established in Goodwin v United Kingdom in 2002. Council notes that the UK has dropped from 1st place in 2015 to to 22nd place in ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map, countries which have enacted explicit anti-LGBTI+ legislation. The UK is now the second-worst performer for LGBTI+ rights in all of Western Europe and Scandinavia, having held first place just a decade ago. For laws relating specifically to the recognition of trans people's gender identity, the UK now ranks among the worst in the whole of Europe. Council notes that the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers interpreted the Equality Act 2010 as currently written, and does not remove the legal protections against discrimination for those with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment: trans people remain protected from direct discrimination and harassment under the Act. Council further notes that, since the ruling is one of statutory interpretation rather than constitutional settlement, the UK Government retains the power to amend the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that trans people can fully access the rights and recognitions they enjoyed between the Act's passage and the Supreme Court's judgment and calls upon it to do so. Council is equally alarmed by the warning from UN human rights experts that the ruling risks entrenching legal uncertainty and undermining the rights of transgender persons across all aspects of life. Council therefore resolves: 1. To ask the Leader of the Council to write urgently to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Women and Equalities calling for an amendment to the Equality Act 2010 to fully restore and entrench the rights of transgender people; to take into further account the concerns of trans people and LGBTQI+ organisations before laying a commencement regulation; and to call on the Government to develop a cross-departmental Trans Inclusion Strategy that affirms the dignity, privacy, and legal recognition of trans people across all public services.2. To ask the City Convener for Equalities and Communities to write to all bodies within the Council family reaffirming Glasgow City Council's unequivocal commitment to the rights, safety, and dignity of transgender people; making clear that where the Code permits discretion, that discretion should be exercised in the most inclusive manner possible; that no trans person should be left without access to safe, appropriate facilities; that trans people must not routinely be subject to intrusive questioning, surveillance, or exclusion on the basis of appearance; and that any policy changes must be developed in partnership with trans people and the organisations that represent them. 3. To instruct the Chief Executive to undertake a review of all Council policies and services to identify where trans-inclusive practice can be strengthened within the law in recognition of the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, with a report back to the Wellbeing, Equalities, Communities, Culture and Engagement City Policy Committee within six months.
Out for Independence@outforindy.bsky.social · last mo.

In one of her first official acts as an MP, Lara has now signed EDM 240 to disapprove the EHRC Draft Code of Practice. We would like to thank her for following through on her pledge, and to express solidarity with her in light of the abuse she's received from online trolls since her swearing in.

Screenshot of the House of Commons website showing that Lara Bird, SNP MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, signed EDM 240 on 24 June 2026
Out for Independence@outforindy.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Thanks to Lara Bird, SNP candidate in the Arbroath & Broughty Ferry by-election, for also pledging to oppose Labour transphobia and support necessary reform of the Equality Act. On 18 June, Arbroath & Broughty Ferry has the chance to elect an MP who supports freedom, not authoritarian overreach.

John Swinney@johnswinney.bsky.social · last mo.

Today I met members of Edinburgh’s Muslim community and heard directly from those affected by the appalling attacks. No one in Scotland should ever fear being targeted because of who they are. My government will always stand against those who seek to divide us.

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SNP Ukraine Solidarity Caucus 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦✊️@snp4ukraine.bsky.social · 2mo ago

For queer Ukrainians, the fight against Russian imperialism isn't just one of national liberation- it's also a fight against criminalisation and murder at the hands of the Putin regime

maksym.eristavi@maksymeristavi.com · 2mo ago

the Kyiv Pride march today is led by Ukrainian queer soldiers and vets carrying pictures and names of queer Ukrainian heroes killed while fighting homophobic russian empire. Ukraine fights for a better, dignified future for all of us.

The SNP@snp.org · 2mo ago

Four hours left to make your vote count. If you want SNP voices standing up for Scotland, you have to vote for it. Aberdeen South: Richard Thomson Arbroath and Broughty Ferry: Lara Bird Vote SNP today and remember your ID.

Campaign poster urging voters to cast their ballots in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry with only 4 hours left to vote for SNP candidates.
John Swinney@johnswinney.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Polls are now open. You have until 10pm to vote for Richard Thomson in Aberdeen South and Lara Bird in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. Only the SNP will always stand up for Scotland, and ensure our energy wealth benefits people in Scotland, not Westminster. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Mise@misebanbha.bsky.social · 2mo ago

..So we’re lobbying MPs hard to reject it. And we will keep fighting to change the unworkable, unjust legislation. Our movement has never just sat down and accepted unjust laws. We fight them!”

Mise@misebanbha.bsky.social · 2mo ago

“I am so proud of our support for our trans community and it will not change, no matter how much some try to shout us down or bully us out of it. I’m in no doubt about this: the Supreme Court ruling was wrong. And the recent EHRC guidance is wrong all over again...

UNISON@unison.org.uk · 2mo ago

A massive opportunity for change Andrea Egan delivers barnstorming first national delegate conference speech as general secretary, promising to build strength and organisation for all workers #uNDC26 unsn.uk/4xuUxp3

John Swinney@johnswinney.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Enough is enough. When politicians use hateful language, they create conditions for hatred to grow. This is the Reform party I warned about, and they should be ashamed for inciting racial division in Scotland. I will always stand up for the inclusive country we are. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿