Scottish Labour leader proud to be part of ‘gayest parliament in the world’
Kezia Dugdale says she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received since coming out as gay.
Scottish Labour leader Dugdale says that she is proud to be part of what she says is now considered the gayest Parliament in the world.
Dugdale’s coming out in this interview with the Fabian Society, means four of Scotland’s political party leaders are now out as LGB.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie and UKIP Scotland leader David Coburn all previously came out as LGB.
“I’ve been bowled over by the support I’ve received this weekend after deciding to share with the world that I’m in love with a woman,” she wrote in a piece for the Daily Record.
“The Scottish Parliament was once referred to as the rainbow parliament because of the array of party colours represented.
“While the number of Greens and socialists might have fallen back, the diversity of our Parliament remains,” she added.
“In fact it’s now considered the gayest Parliament in the world.”
It is believed that Scotland is the only country in the world which has a majority of political party leaders who are out as lesbian, gay or bisexual.
As various people tweeted Dugdale to congratulate her on coming out, she wrote: “Thanks for all the lovely messages of support – appreciated.”
The Scottish Labour Party elected Dugdale as its new leader in August, making her the youngest leader of the party.
The party was thrown into disarray after a near-wipeout during May 2015’s elections for the UK Parliament – when the Scottish National Party claimed nearly all of Labour’s seats.
As well as being a strong supporter of same-sex marriage while it passed in Scotland, Dugdale has also voiced her support for civil partnerships to be extended to opposite-sex couples.
In March, Dugdale – alongside Davidson and Harvie – decided not to clap when presented with the Ghanian President at Holyrood.
