Same sex marriage the clincher in Scotland coming top of legal equality rankings
Scotland is the best country in Europe for sexual legal equality, a new report has found.
Legal protections offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) in Scotland were found to be the best in the UK and the whole of Europe.
Compiled by ILGA-Europe, an international human rights association, the 2015 Rainbow Europe Index marks countries against 48 criteria, including legal protections from discrimination in work and services, measures to tackle hate crime, rights and recognition for transgender and intersex people, and equality in family law, such as same-sex marriage and parenting rights.
LGBTI people in Scotland are still facing unacceptable levels of prejudice - Tom French
Scotland meets 92% of the criteria, compared with 86% for the UK as a whole thanks to same sex marriage legislation which was passed last year.
Equality Network policy and public affairs coordinator Tom French said: “The fact that Scotland now ranks best in Europe overall on LGBTI legal equality is welcome recognition for the efforts of campaigners and the willingness of our politicians to properly consult with LGBTI people and then act on the evidence by passing progressive measures.
“However, the Equality Network warns against any complacency, as we know there is still much more to do to achieve full equality for LGBTI people in Scotland.
“As ILGA’s review shows, there are still areas where Scotland is failing to respect LGBTI human rights and falling behind the progress in other countries, particularly when it comes to the rights of trans and intersex people.
“There is also a big difference between securing legal rights and full equality for LGBTI people in their everyday lives.
“Despite real progress in the law, LGBTI people in Scotland are still facing unacceptable levels of prejudice, discrimination and disadvantage throughout their lives.”
Azerbaijan was ranked the worst country in Europe for legal equality meeting just 5% of the criteria.
