Alex Salmond ‘honoured’ to be named PinkNews Ally of the Year
PinkNews Exclusive
Scotland’s former First Minister Alex Salmond was named Ally of the Year at the PinkNews Awards.
Mr Salmond, the MP for Gordon, was named Ally of the Year at the third annual PinkNews Awards this evening at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The Scottish National Party politician previously served as Scotland’s First Minister before Nicola Sturgeon.
As First Minister Alex Salmond was instrumental in bringing equal marriage to Scotland.
Writing for PinkNews, Mr Salmond hailed the passage of the marriage bill as “one of the proudest days in the history of Scotland.”
He was hailed for his focus on LGBT issues as SNP leader, pledging to enshrine LGBT rights in a written constitution if Scotland voted yes.
Mr Salmond’s government also flew a Pride flag from St Andrews House during the Commonwealth games, to protest the anti-gay laws of competing countries.
He also used the Commonwealth Games as a rallying call for LGBT rights in the Commonwealth, warning participants: “We as a nation will not tolerate discrimination. We as a nation celebrate diversity.”
Receiving the award, presented by comedian Rhona Cameron, he said: “Since I first became an MP, Scotland has taken huge strides towards becoming the fair and equal country that we all want to see.
“The creation of the Scottish Parliament has allowed us to change the law for the better and Scotland is now rated the most progressive in Europe for LGBTI rights.
“I was proud to lead the government which introduced one of the best equal marriage acts in the world.
The leader – caught above posing with Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho – added: “Of course, the job is not yet done and there is still further to go to protect and promote equality and human rights in the UK and internationally, including securing the additional powers we need to deliver greater progress in Scotland.
“I am confident that together we are moving in the right direction and that achieving full equality is now a case of not if, but when.”
The PinkNews Awards are generously supported by Lloyds Banking Group.
