EMMA RODDICK MSP CELEBRATES DIVERSITY, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION AT PROUD SCOTLAND AWARDS

Celebrations were in order in Glasgow on Saturday evening as Proud Scotland hosted its annual awards ceremony.

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick was up for the Leadership Award, which recognises “an individual, or group, that has been in a leadership capacity to directly impact the LGBTQI+ community” alongside five other nominees, including her colleague and former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

The recently-appointed Minister for Equality, Migration & Refugees has become well known for championing equality and LGBTQ+ rights in her first two years in the Scottish Parliament.

While narrowly missing out on the award, Ms Roddick expressed her delight at being named in the category and said it was particularly exciting to see Highland Council’s south area Education and Learning Manager, Fiona Shearer, win the Education Award on the night.

She said:

“Being nominated for this award was a pleasant surprise, particularly given the other incredible nominees.

“It was a brilliant night celebrating so many amazing folk who are standing up for equality and diversity and I was so chuffed to see Fiona Shearer win the Education Award for all her work in inclusive education for children and young people. 

“At a time when we’re seeing real political tension and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, it is vital that LGBTQ+ people have a voice, and I will always do everything I can to stand up for them and fight for equality.

“I have had a busy first couple of months in my ministerial role, meeting with some incredible organisations and discussing what more the Scottish Government can do to advance LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion, and I am very much looking forward to continuing this work and making more progress here in Scotland.”