The LGBT Charter for Organisations is a straightforward programme that enables organisations to proactively include LGBTQ+ people in every aspect of their work, protecting staff and demonstrating values and quality to stakeholders.
As a part of SIAA’s LGBT Charter journey, we’re striving to connect more with LGBTQ+ communities to better understand the barriers they’re facing and support them in accessing independent advocacy. In order to achieve the Charter, SIAA will be looking at several areas including organisational policies, undertaking training and learning, increasing our contribution to national policy work linked to LGBTQ+ people’s rights, as well as engaging with SIAA members around this topic – sharing resources, facilitating discussion around best practice and common barriers.
We know there is already high-quality independent advocacy being provided to LGBTQ+ people and groups across Scotland. For example, CAPS Independent Advocacy, who have a well-established collective advocacy group for LGBTQIA+ people in Edinburgh. Recently, the organisation started providing specialist individual independent advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community in Midlothian – more details available on their website.
Part of SIAA’s work in completing the Charter will be looking at how these local examples of independent advocacy provision for LGBTQ+ people and groups can be expanded to different areas across Scotland. To gather members’ views and experiences, a virtual SIAA Roundtable will be held on 19 June 2024. SIAA members can sign up by following this link.
You can find out more about the Charter and how it might work for your organisation by visiting LGBT Youth Scotland’s website, they also have lots of free resources to find out more about LGBTQ+ people’s rights and communities in Scotland.
