LGBTI Equality Team: FOI release

Information requested

Information on the LGBTI Equality Team.

Response

1. The LGBTQI+ Equality team is based in the Directorate for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights. It works alongside a range of teams to protect and advance equality for all. The team is responsible for progressing LGBTQI+ equality, with a current focus on delivering commitments to end conversion practices and improving equality for trans and non-binary people.

2. The team consists of 5 members of staff.

3. The team works with a wide range of third sector organisations to promote equality of opportunity and inclusion for LGBTQI+ people and to ensure that the voices of those with lived experience can help to improve outcomes for LGBTQI+ communities across Scotland. This includes LGBT Youth Scotland. Further information on the organisations we work with can be found here: LGBTQI+ funding and partners - LGBTQI+ - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

The team meet with all stakeholder organisations bi-monthly to provide updates on work that is being progressed on LGBTQI+ equality. Stakeholders also meet quarterly with the Minister for Equalities.

4. The team report to the Director for Equalities, Inclusion and Human Rights and the Director General for Communities, as well as the Minister for Equalities and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

5. The LGBTQI+ Equality team is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring policies for LGBTQI+ people. Engagement with stakeholders alongside relevant data and research is used to create effective and evidence-based policy. Our current work to improve the lives of LGBTQI+ people can be found here: LGBTQI+ - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

6. LGBT Equality Policy has had a dedicated team within the Scottish Government since 2020.

About FOI

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