>__Police Scotland backs out of Stonewall diversity scheme__
>Police Scotland has withdrawn from a diversity scheme run by Stonewall, the controversial gay and transgender rights group.
>The charity has been criticised for its stance on trans issues. Police Scotland is understood to be the first high-profile Scottish public body to have quit the scheme, which has attracted the support of the Scottish government — currently 89th on Stonewall’s top 100 employers index.
>In 2021, the BBC announced its withdrawal from Stonewall’s diversity champions scheme after concerns about impartiality. The House of Commons, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, the House of Lords and Ofcom have also left.
>Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory community safety spokesman, said: “Police Scotland’s decision seems entirely proper due to the serious concerns that have been raised about this charity’s activities.”
>Police Scotland has not made a submission for the 2023 Stonewall workplace equality index, which assesses employers on their diversity credentials. Its last payment of annual fees for the scheme was in March 2021.
>Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Police Scotland listens to a wide range of voices, including Stonewall, and we work to ensure we develop appropriate partnerships to support the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.”
>The force did not comment as to why formal ties with the Stonewall scheme were abandoned. It would not be drawn on whether it considered membership had an effect on its impartiality, the fundamental bedrock of policing by consent.
>Critics claim the scheme wields undue influence over some public sector organisations. The workplace equality index rewards employers for promoting LGBTQ+ ideology both internally and outside the workplace, allowing them to climb the rankings.
>Kenny MacAskill, the Alba MP for East Lothian and a former justice secretary, said: “The Stonewall agenda has wreaked havoc across swathes of our society, not just policing . . . It’s to be hoped that other sectors of Scottish life will now do likewise.”
>Police chiefs are said to be reviewing their inclusion policies and looking at relationships with various bodies. The force, they said, would still listen to Stonewall’s views despite having ended its formal relationship.
>Signatories to the scheme include the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Water and the Scottish Prison Service.
>Stonewall said: “We’re proud of our diversity champions programme, which supports workplaces to create LGBTQ+ inclusive environments where all staff can thrive.”
> The Stonewall agenda has wreaked havoc across swathes of our society
raise your hands if you’ve heard this one before.
> Kenny MacAskill, the Alba MP for East Lothian
So, disregard all he says – gotcha.
‘Controversial gay and transgender rights group’ is a hell of a way to refer to a leading charity.
Kinda feels like (as **nobody** could have or did predict /s) trans rights *were actually* being used as a wedge issue by homophobes though now. More fool any gay people who got on the bus with them and didn’t imagine they’d be next, or in the crosshairs just as much.
The Times once again painting an LGBT+ charity as the devil because of their pro-trans stance. “The Stonewall agenda has wreaked havoc across swathes of our society” ah yes like, campaigning for gay marriage, campaigning for IVF for lesbian couples, campaigning for better access to gender clinics, campaigning for the ban of conversion therapy for ALL queer people (not just a cherrypicked few)… yes, total havoc there!
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>__Police Scotland backs out of Stonewall diversity scheme__
>Police Scotland has withdrawn from a diversity scheme run by Stonewall, the controversial gay and transgender rights group.
>The charity has been criticised for its stance on trans issues. Police Scotland is understood to be the first high-profile Scottish public body to have quit the scheme, which has attracted the support of the Scottish government — currently 89th on Stonewall’s top 100 employers index.
>In 2021, the BBC announced its withdrawal from Stonewall’s diversity champions scheme after concerns about impartiality. The House of Commons, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, the House of Lords and Ofcom have also left.
>Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory community safety spokesman, said: “Police Scotland’s decision seems entirely proper due to the serious concerns that have been raised about this charity’s activities.”
>Police Scotland has not made a submission for the 2023 Stonewall workplace equality index, which assesses employers on their diversity credentials. Its last payment of annual fees for the scheme was in March 2021.
>Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Police Scotland listens to a wide range of voices, including Stonewall, and we work to ensure we develop appropriate partnerships to support the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.”
>The force did not comment as to why formal ties with the Stonewall scheme were abandoned. It would not be drawn on whether it considered membership had an effect on its impartiality, the fundamental bedrock of policing by consent.
>Critics claim the scheme wields undue influence over some public sector organisations. The workplace equality index rewards employers for promoting LGBTQ+ ideology both internally and outside the workplace, allowing them to climb the rankings.
>Kenny MacAskill, the Alba MP for East Lothian and a former justice secretary, said: “The Stonewall agenda has wreaked havoc across swathes of our society, not just policing . . . It’s to be hoped that other sectors of Scottish life will now do likewise.”
>Police chiefs are said to be reviewing their inclusion policies and looking at relationships with various bodies. The force, they said, would still listen to Stonewall’s views despite having ended its formal relationship.
>Signatories to the scheme include the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Water and the Scottish Prison Service.
>Stonewall said: “We’re proud of our diversity champions programme, which supports workplaces to create LGBTQ+ inclusive environments where all staff can thrive.”
> The Stonewall agenda has wreaked havoc across swathes of our society
raise your hands if you’ve heard this one before.
> Kenny MacAskill, the Alba MP for East Lothian
So, disregard all he says – gotcha.
‘Controversial gay and transgender rights group’ is a hell of a way to refer to a leading charity.
Kinda feels like (as **nobody** could have or did predict /s) trans rights *were actually* being used as a wedge issue by homophobes though now. More fool any gay people who got on the bus with them and didn’t imagine they’d be next, or in the crosshairs just as much.
The Times once again painting an LGBT+ charity as the devil because of their pro-trans stance. “The Stonewall agenda has wreaked havoc across swathes of our society” ah yes like, campaigning for gay marriage, campaigning for IVF for lesbian couples, campaigning for better access to gender clinics, campaigning for the ban of conversion therapy for ALL queer people (not just a cherrypicked few)… yes, total havoc there!