Last week we attended the inaugural Pink News summer reception in Edinburgh to help raise awareness of LGBT+ rights issues in Scotland. The event, held in the Scottish Parliament, saw a cross-party group of Scottish politicians attending, including Angela Constance MSP, Minister for Communities, Social Security and Equality and Ruth Davison MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, as well as charities and businesses come together to debate key topics ranging from LGBT+ education to same-sex marriage.

It was fantastic to see a room packed with people all tackling the underlying attitudes and inequalities that continue to exist in society. Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson told the audience “In my lifetime, people could be prosecuted for being in a loving same-sex relationship… we’ve seen these same couples who could have been prosecuted now able to marry their partner. And if we look at societal change, it’s even greater than that – I’m standing here leader of political party, a pregnant lesbian, my office is full of bibs and babygros and baby products. I still get hate mail, everyone does,” she added, “but it’s vastly outweighed by the kindness and support that we see all around the country.”

As supporters of the Pink News awards this year, Michael Roberts, our chair of glamazon in Scotland, announced the shortlist for the Third Sector Equality Award, which recognises the hard work of NGOs across the UK who ensure the LGBT+ community feels safe, supported, accepted and well-recognised. Shortlisted organisations included Amnesty International, National Trust, St Mungo’s and Victim support with the winner to be announced at an awards ceremony in London later this year.

“Congratulations to all the outstanding charities shortlisted for the Pink News Third Sector Equality Award this year,” said Michael Roberts, Software Development Manager in the Amazon Development Centre Scotland and chair of glamazon Scotland, the company’s LGBT+ employee affinity network. “These organisations work tirelessly all year round to ensure the LGBT+ community feels safe, supported, accepted and well-recognised. They are an inspiration to us all.”

Glamazon has led a number of initiatives this year to promote diversity, inclusion and career progression for LGBT+ employees, including our participation in Pride, which saw over 150 employees take part to help raise money for LGBT+ charities.