Pink Saltire flies flag for human rights in history exhibition

A new exhibition will tell the story of hard-fought human rights victories in Scotland for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people when it opens in Kirkcaldy today.

Fife-based LGBT charity Pink Saltire will open a pop-up heritage hub at the Mercat Centre.

The exhibition, running until Thursday, will feature the most detailed LGBT history timeline produced in Scotland, with key facts and highlights in the fight for rights, including same-sex marriage and the abolition of discriminatory laws against gay and bisexual men.

Charity founder Stuart Duffy said: “Scotland is widely known across the world for its LGBT-inclusive policies and there has been significant changes in the views of society towards our community in recent years.

“But we must remember that this is only a very recent change – homosexuality was only legalised in Scotland in 1980 which was 13 years after England and Wales.”

“Understanding our recent history, as well as the bravery and sacrifice of so many activists who stood up for equal rights in the past, is vital if we are to protect these rights in the future.”

The exhibition is being supported with a grant from Fife Council and is one of more than 100 different events across Scotland marking the annual LGBT History Month.

Stuart added that many people think the fight for equality is over, but the reality was LGBT people continue to face discrimination on a daily basis.

“We hope this exhibition, and events such as Fife Pride, demonstrate that we all need to work hard for a better society and that the fight never ends.”