We set out to achieve the LBGT Youth Scotland Charter in early 2024. Now, over a year into this journey, Lead Artist for LGBT Murray Keir reflect on the progress we’ve made and considers the exciting opportunities that lie ahead:
Our LGBT Charter journey began with a staff meeting where we reviewed the document together, identifying the key goals we needed to accomplish. We discussed the challenges that lay ahead, as well as the aspects we were eager to tackle – such as planning events to celebrate important dates in the LGBT calendar and launching a campaign against discrimination and prejudice. By the end of the meeting, everyone was clear on their roles and the steps we needed to take to make PACE a more visibly inclusive space for all.
I was tasked with leading our Young Champions group, a platform for our members to voice their thoughts on how we implement the charter and to contribute to the more exciting aspects, like event planning. Our first meeting with the Young Champions was focused on gathering their opinions on PACE’s LGBTQ+ inclusivity. We were happy to hear that they view PACE as an inclusive environment, but they highlighted areas where we could improve. The main point was that while current members know PACE is inclusive, it’s not always clear to new members or the public. They also suggested having a designated staff member they could approach with any issues or concerns. We took all their feedback on board and made sure to incorporate their suggestions into our charter action plan.
One of the first steps we took at the start of the charter was introducing pronouns on our name badges and email signatures. While it may have seemed like a small change in the grand scheme of things, it had a huge impact. Many of our members shared how much they appreciated seeing our pronouns, as it made them feel more comfortable sharing their own. This simple act of inclusion made PACE feel much more welcoming and inclusive than ever before. It made us realise that, although the charter still felt like a big task – one we were eager to rise to – it didn’t always require grand gestures. The small things matter too. From there, we began implementing more subtle yet meaningful changes, like designating a notice board for LGBTQ+ inclusion in all our venues and hanging pride flags.
We also participated in LGBT Youth Scotland’s LGBT Awareness training, which proved to be incredibly helpful and educational for our staff. Even though I was already somewhat knowledgeable about the LGBTQ+ community, I personally gained a lot from the experience. It gave us a deeper understanding of the diverse members of the LGBTQ+ community and offered valuable insight into what it’s like to be a young LGBTQ+ person in Scotland. I would highly recommend this training to anyone looking to expand their knowledge and make a positive impact!
The first event we hosted as part of the charter was Purple Friday, and we decided to throw a purple party for our members. The entire event was planned by our incredible Young Champions group, and it turned out to be a fantastic night full of dancing, karaoke, and even a quiz to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month. We received amazing feedback from our members, many of whom are excited for it to become an annual event. In fact, planning for Purple Party 2025 is already underway!
To celebrate Pride Month and indulge our members’ love for the graphic novel Heartstopper, we hosted an LGBTQ+ Book Club. This provided our members with the opportunity to explore and discuss themes and issues that resonated with them. The discussions were insightful and engaging, allowing us to dive deep into the topics that mattered most to the group, and it gave us a greater understanding of what’s important to them.
The charter has opened up many incredible opportunities for us as a company. One of the highlights for me was having the pleasure of working with an LGBT Practitioners group to create an LGBTQ+ Toolkit for youth theatres. The toolkit provides guidance on key issues such as casting, handling names in programmes, and addressing complaints related to LGBTQ+ topics. We also had the opportunity to attend YTAS Dramacon in Dundee, where we were able to share our experience with the charter. It was a great chance to hear about others’ experiences, learn from their journeys, and exchange ideas.
Our current project is focused on creating a campaign against discrimination and prejudice. As part of the research, I went out and met with a local community group to gain a broader understanding of the prejudice young people face in schools and their communities. These sessions deeply resonated with me, and I found myself relating to many of the experiences they shared, as I went through similar challenges myself. It was heart-breaking to see that the issues they mentioned are still happening today. I took all my findings back to work with Iona, our staff member who runs the Writers’ Room, to craft a short script for the Young Champions to perform as part of our campaign.
As we reflect on our journey with the charter, it’s clear how much progress we’ve made and how much more we have yet to accomplish. From small changes like introducing pronouns to larger initiatives like our campaign against discrimination, every step has contributed to making PACE a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. The experiences, insights, and feedback we’ve gathered from our members, staff, and the wider community have been invaluable, and we’re excited to continue growing and evolving. The work we’ve done so far is just the beginning, and we’re committed to ensuring that PACE remains a place where everyone can feel seen, heard, and supported.
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