The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have been praised by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) campaigners for their inclusiveness and visibility of LGBTI issues.
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games have set a new benchmark on inclusion and visibility of LGBTI people, including:
• Rainbow flags flying at Scottish Government, local government and trade union premises all over Scotland.
• The inclusion of a same-sex kiss in the Games opening ceremony, seen by hundreds of millions across the globe.
• Unprecedented high level positive statements on LGBTI equality and human rights by the First Minister Alex Salmond, Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games Shona Robison, and Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop.
• Scottish Government funding for the first Commonwealth Games Pride House, a space for LGBT people to enjoy the Games.
• Engagement on LGBTI human rights issues across the Commonwealth, including an international conference held by the Equality Network and partner organisations on 18th July in Glasgow, attended by over 150 human rights activists including speakers from around the world.
• A major exhibition created by the Equality Network, ‘LGBTI People of the Commonwealth’, highlighting the challenges facing LGBTI people in each of the 53 Commonwealth countries, and the work of their national LGBTI organisations.
• The launch of the Scottish Government’s One Scotland campaign during the Games, with its Equal Scotland theme and high-profile advertising across the country. To view, CLICK HERE:
The Equality Network, Scotlands equality campaigning charity along with other LGBTI equality organisations, spent more than a year preparing for the Games, engaging positively with the Scottish Government and Glasgow 2014 to ensure LGBTI issues across the Commonwealth were not forgotten during the games.
Scott Cuthbertson, Community Development Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “In no previous games has the visibility and inclusion of LGBTI people been so high. From the new ‘Glasgow kiss’, leadership on LGBTI issues from the top of the Scottish Government, and rainbow flags being flown across Scotland, to opportunities to talk about the Commonwealth human rights record on LGBTI equality, the Glasgow 2014 games have set a standard for LGBTI visibility and inclusiveness which we hope future games will build upon.
“There is much to be done by the Commonwealth Secretariat and member countries to ensure human rights for LGBTI people across the globe, and we hope the Glasgow 2014 Games will be seen as part of a movement for positive change. We’re already reaching out to LGBTI groups in Gold Coast in the hope momentum is kept up.”
The Equality Network’s ‘LGBTI people of the Commonwealth’ exhibition will leave Glasgow at the end of the Games, to begin a national tour. The exhibition will give people the opportunity to learn more about what life is like for LGBTI people in the 53 Commonwealth nations where 42 of the 53 member countries criminalise same-sex activity.
Matthew Cutler, Project Director, PrideHouse Toronto, added: “When the vast majority of Commonwealth states criminalize homosexuality, and as millions watch live, it is no small feat to show same-sex affection and to celebrate same-sex marriage in the opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games.
“As we prepare for the 2105 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Toronto, we will look to the Glaswegian games as a strong example of how multi-sport games can provide a platform to advance inclusion and human rights for LGBT people.”
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