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Our recent event with the Equality Network and George Watson’s College

We were delighted to hold our first event since 2020 on 24th November hosted by our friends George Watson’s College at their Myreside Pavilion.

We heard from Scott Cuthbertson, Development Manager for the Equality Network about their new LGBTI + Rainbow Mark scheme.

The Rainbow Mark aims to:

  • Increase positive LGBTI+ visibility

  • Provide information and tools to enable better LGBTI+ inclusion

  • Reduce isolation and minority stress for LGBTI+ people

  • Create more welcoming places in Scotland

  • Reflect a genuine desire to recognise and respect LGBTI+ diversity and inclusion across Scotland

The scheme is a partnership project which developed from the findings of the “Further Out: Scottish LGBT Rural Equality Report”

The report highlighted the need for greater LGBTI+ visibility and inclusion, particularly in our rural and island communities.

The Rainbow Mark scheme is based on five principles:

  1. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive place for our LGBTI+ customers and users and maintaining best practice;

  2. We want our LGBTI+ staff to be able to be themselves at work, to feel valued and protected;

  3. We will be visible in our support, and use respectful and inclusive language, helping everyone to feel comfortable;

  4. We have zero tolerance for discriminatory language and behaviour; and

  5. We are committed to understanding the needs of LGBTI+ people

For more information on the scheme, including how to get involved, please have a read at the Rainbow Mark guidance or watch the short film.

Our second speaker was Louise Clarke, Assistant Principal at George Watson’s College (GWC). In her talk at the event, she explained that the College has had a LGBT+ Discuss Group in place for a number of years, which helps LGBT+ pupils to feel supported and able to be themselves at school. The school holds the LGBT Youth Scotland Gold Charter Award, and is planning to re-visit all of their LGBT+ work to ensure it continues to be effective and reflect best practice. Inclusion is a key focus at GWC with a new staff role in place to lead on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and is core to the four values of GWC:

  • Aim High

  • Be Kind

  • Join In

  • Respect All

Louise also told us about plans to ensure the forthcoming Foundation Day in early 2023 will be used to reflect the broader diversity and inclusion activity in the school.

After hearing from the speakers, we had a short Q&A session before enjoying networking with new and older SWAN friends over drinks and canapés.

Carole Anderson