Survey puts Scotland top in Europe for LGBTI rights

Scotland has come out with the best score in a Europe-wide survey of legal equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) individuals.

The 2015 Rainbow Europe Index, compiled by international human rights association ILGA-Europe, gives Scotland a score of 92%, with the rest of the UK in second place on 86%.

It measures progress on equality against 48 criteria, including legal protection against discrimination in work and services, measures to tackle hate crime, rights and recognition for transgender and intersex people, and equality in family law including same sex marriage and parenting laws.

The news was welcomed by the Equality Network, which warned however against any complacency. It said the UK figure was lower because of fewer protections for intersex people in England & Wales, and the non-recognition of same sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

After the UK, the next best scores are for Belgium (83%), Malta (77%) and Sweden (72%). At the bottom of the league are Azerbaijan (5%), Russia (8%), Armenia (9%), Ukraine (10%) and Monaco (11%).

Equality Network policy and public affairs co-ordinator Tom French commented: "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 ther is still more to do to achieve full equality for LGBTI people in Scotland.