LGBT Youth Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland is a voluntary organisation dedicated to the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people (12-26yr olds) in the life of Scotland. It was established in November 1989 as the Stonewall Youth Project by members of the LGBT community in Edinburgh.

In April 2003 Stonewall Youth Project became a national organisation and was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (No.244805) with charitable status (SC024047) under the name by which it is known today. LGBT rights activist James Rennie was hired as chief executive. He would resign in 2007 after being arrested for child sexual abuse. The National Headquarters are in Edinburgh and services are provided for LGBT young people in various locations across Scotland.

LGBT Youth Scotland provides a range of services and opportunities for young people, families and professionals. LGBT Youth Scotland’s vision is that every LGBT young person will be included in the life of Scotland and shall:

Services provided by LGBT Youth Scotland include: Direct Services for LGBT young people including support groups, advice and support, events and volunteering, National Projects including LGBT History Month, Policy work, Research, Training for Professionals.

In November 2008, LGBT Youth Scotland has begun providing volunteering opportunities for those over the age of 26 as a part of the National Development Team's Capacity Building Project.

Unlike many youth-steered organisations, LGBT Youth Scotland is not completely peer led, and relies upon experienced volunteers and paid staff to keep services running. The organisation is one of the largest employers in Scotland within the LGBT sector with over 30 full-time paid staff members, with many more part-time staff and volunteers.

LGBT young people are involved directly by their formation and support of Scotland's LGBT National Youth Council (NYC). The NYC is made up of elected youth representatives from all across Scotland, and is responsible for gathering the views, issues and aspirations of Scotland's LGBT youth population in order to feed them back to the people who can make a real difference, such as MSPs and local authorities. It brings together youth groups as well as individuals under one umbrella organisation. The service users elect two members of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

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