As Humza Yousaf becomes the sixth First Minister of Scotland, let’s take a look at what the MSP for Glasgow Pollok’s stance is moving forward on LGBTQ+ rights, and whether or not we can regain clarity on what the future looks like for LGBTQ+ people in Scotland.
Voting Record
Despite missing the final vote in February 2014 on the legalisation of same-sex marriage due to Government business, Yousaf has consistently voted in favour of motions that would protect LGBTQ+ people.
In 2011, he voted for the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill which aimed to update existing laws surrounding hate crime to ensure that the act of stirring up hatred against people based on sexual orientation or transgender identity were considered a crime.
In the Scottish Parliament, he spoke during the final stage of the bill on the impact of stirring up racial hatred, and how hatred based on sexual orientation or gender identity is just as important.
“There are some people here who believe—even if they were to be the person towards whom the hatred was directed—that racism that is intentionally stirred up using threatening or abusive language, at home with a sibling, child or grandchild present, should not be prosecuted,” he said.
“The outcome could lead to a person of colour, a disabled person, someone who is gay or lesbian, an older person, a trans woman or somebody with variation of sex characteristics being beaten up or threatened with violence.”
The Bill passed on 11 March 2021, with 82 votes in favour, 32 votes against, and 4 abstentions.
As the leadership hustings commenced in early March 2023, Yousaf’s message remained clear on equality for all, stating that he would make Scotland an “International leader in Human Rights”. Along with this, he promised to ban conversion therapy and “embed LGBT rights into an independent Scotland’s constitution”.
The outlook looks good – however some could say a lot of these strong promises hinge on his ability to lead Scotland into a new realm of independence. With Nicola Sturgeon struggling to gain momentum on yet another Scottish Independence Referendum, will Hamza Yousaf be able to be any different?