A major new poll has found that nearly one in four LGBTQ+ individuals in Scotland faced discrimination in 2023, with a leading charity describing the findings as “no surprise.”
The Scottish Government’s annual report, based on the 2023 Scottish Household Survey, revealed that 23% of respondents identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual experienced discrimination last year, while 14% reported harassment. In contrast, heterosexual respondents reported significantly lower rates of discrimination (7%) and harassment (4%).
Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy, chief executive of the Equality Network, a charity advocating for LGBTQ+ equality and human rights in Scotland, highlighted the troubling trends. “We know, sadly, that discrimination based on LGBTQ+ status and identity is still very much a part of life in Scotland for our community,” she said. “It is no surprise that so many of us are still being subjected to this.”
Kennedy noted that the survey reflects a steady rise in discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation over recent years. For trans and nonbinary people, the situation appears even more dire. By analysing data from both the Scottish Census and the Household Survey, Kennedy estimated that up to half of trans individuals in Scotland may have experienced harassment or discrimination.
“Although there is no analysis of this within the report, we can surmise that half of all trans people declared in the census have experienced harassment and discrimination in Scotland,” Kennedy explained. The Scottish Census reports that 0.4% of the population identifies as trans, while 0.2% of survey respondents cited trans status as the reason for harassment or discrimination.
The 2023 Scottish Household Survey gathered data from 9,750 Scots across the country, shedding light on ongoing challenges for the LGBTQ+ community and emphasising the need for continued efforts toward equality and inclusion.
