Scouts Scotland is open to all young people and adults regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
We have a clear Equal Opportunities Policy and attend Pride events to demonstrate our commitment to equality. We openly welcome LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender and Intersexed) members, have volunteers specialising in diversity and inclusive Scouting and links with a UK Wide national unit supporting LGBT adults in Scouting FLAGS.
What is Scouts?
Scouts is all about fun, challenge and adventure. The Scout Association is the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation. Our volunteers offer 6 to 25 year olds, both male and female, fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance make a positive impact in communities.
Find out more about Scouts here.
Read more about support and guidance for our volunteers here.
How can I get involved?
Whether you’re a young person wanting to get involved or an adult interested in our many volunteering opportunities, visit http://www.scouts.scot/join-the-adventure.aspx and enter your postcode to find out about Scouts near you.
Why does Scouts Scotland attend Pride?
Attending Pride events is a way of demonstrating our commitment to equality and building a more inclusive society, and showing that we openly welcome LGBT members. Pride is a superb vehicle for developing working partnerships with the LGBT Community and we will be building on this for future work in support of our members across Scotland.
What do you do at Pride?
We have attended Pride events in Scotland for the past 3 years, ensuring a high visibility with our slogan: ‘Some people are gay… and Scouts. We’re fine with it!’
Kerry, an Explorer Scout in Edinburgh, attended the event with us this year and said:
"I recently had the privilege of attending Pride Edinburgh with Scouts Scotland. It was a fantastic experience to join with other Scouts to show the many Pride attendees that Scouting is a place for people to be themselves. Some people feel that Scouting is not for them due to their sexuality or gender identity and I think that it is really important to bust that myth.
"I have been really supported in my group to be myself, and as a young person growing up it is very important to have people to support you. I really enjoyed attending Pride Edinburgh with my fellow Scouts as it felt that we were doing something important for both Scouting and the LGBT community. It is vitally important that all groups send out the message that everyone is welcome in Scouts."
How can I attend a Pride event with Scouting?
If you're interested in joining us at Pride next year, or finding our more about our inclusion agenda, then please contact [email protected].