LGBT Youth Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland is an organisation dedicated to the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people in the life of Scotland. It was established in November 1989 as the Stonewall Youth Project by members of the LGBT community in Edinburgh.

In April 2003 Stonewall Youth Project became a national organisation and was incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee (Company Number SC244805) under the name by which it is known today. The National Head Quarters are in Edinburgh and other offices are located in Glasgow and Dumfries. Services supported by LGBT Youth Scotland also run in Fife and Aberdeen.

LGBT Youth Scotland provides a range of services and opportunities for young people, families and professionals which aim to increase awareness and confidence in meeting the needs of LGBT young people, as well as reducing isolation and intolerance for them. One of the services provided are several youth "drop-ins" across Scotland where young LGBT people aged 13-25 can meet and socialise as well as access services such as advice and referrals or free safe sex supplies. Another service provided is a training program for professionals who work with young people, which teaches ways of combating intolerance and homophobia by running sessions on LGBT awareness and related issues. There is also a reasonably sized policy and research department within the organisation.

Unlike many youth-steered organisations, LGBT Youth Scotland is not completely peer led, and relies upon experienced volunteers and paid staff to keep services running. The organisation is one of the largest employers in Scotland within the LGBT sector with over 30 full-time paid staff members, with many more part time staff and volunteers.

LGBT young people are involved directly by their formation and support of Scotland's LGBT Youth Council. The Youth Council is made up of elected youth representatives from all across Scotland, and is responsible for gathering the views, issues and aspirations of Scotland's LGBT youth population in order to feed them back to the people who can make a real difference, such as MSPs and local authorities. It brings together youth groups as well as individuals under one umbrella organisation. The service users elect two members of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

In 2004 the youth volunteers of the organisation won the Philip Lawrence Award for Community Safety.

Their patrons include Robin Harper MSP, The Right Reverend Richard F Holloway, Rhona Cameron and Susan Deacon MSP.

External links

* [http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/ LGBT Youth Scotland Website]
* [http://www.queeryouth.org.uk/ Queer Youth Alliance (UK) Website]

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