From: "BRIAN DEMPSEY" Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 14:54:01 +0000 Subject: *QL*: A Claim of Right - [Scotland] Outright Scotland's _A Claim of Right_ was launched before the press on 15/7/96 at the Glasgow Gay and Lesbian Centre. The text of the document is given below - comments are welcome. __________________page one______________ A CLAIM OF RIGHT A Claim of Right by lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in Scotland Outright Scotland campaigns for continuing changes in Scottish society, its laws and institutions so that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered people is eradicated. _A Claim of Right_ is part of _EQUALITY 2000_, a continuing campaign by Outright Scotland. For membership and all other enquires please contact us at 58A Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3SA. __________________page two _____________ This document sets out the demand for equality of treatment for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals with a view to the probable setting up of a Scottish Parliament after the next general election. The principles contained should not, of course, apply only here and we would commend them to all people concerned with ending prejudice. We will continue to work for equality with other groups and individuals throughout the world. We are inspired by the growing respect for our human rights across the world. >From Canada to Australia, South Africa to Ireland there have been a number of significant gains for equality. Many European countries, including Spain, Norway and the Netherlands, are currently using law reform to improve the rights of their lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens. The reality of anti-gay legislation and of everyday prejudice casts a pall over all our lives in Britain. Outright Scotland welcomes all moves to eliminate prejudice, whether these are specific to Scotland, or relate to the UK as a whole. We take our place among the many organisations which support the work of the Scottish Constitutional Convention. We believe that it is essential to have, in whatever form, protection of human rights enshrined in Scots law. We will work with all other groups who support the principle of equality for all who live and work in Scotland. Many unions, employers, churches, local authorities and other important groups recognise the damage done to all of society by prejudice and hate. All major political parties in Scotland and in the UK support equality of treatment and opportunity for all people with the exception of the Conservatives. While this level of support has to be built upon and made concrete it is an encouraging sign for the future of an egalitarian Scotland. Even within the Conservative Party there are a growing number of voices raised against prejudice and bigotry. Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals will continue to play a part in all areas of society just as we have done in the past. We insist upon the recognition of our rights as well as of our responsibilities and will accept nothing less than equality. This document represents what we believe is needed for recognition of our human rights - we commend it to you. Outright Scotland Edinburgh May 1996 ____________________page three________________ Outright Scotland calls on all parties to support the inclusion of this Draft Article in any Bill or Charter of Rights and Freedoms. EQUALITY ARTICLE All persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. The equal protection of the law and the enjoyment of the rights set out this Bill (or Charter) of Rights and Freedoms shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as actual or perceived sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth, sexual identity or orientation, disability, age or other status. This Article shall not preclude any law, programme or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of individuals or groups disadvantaged on any of the grounds listed in this Article. Neither shall it preclude any different services or entitlements based on special needs or genuine occupational qualifications. [Note - This draft Article is based on Article Nine of the Scottish Council for Civil Liberty's _A Bill of Rights for Scotland_. That in turn is based on a number of sources including the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and UK anti-discrimination legislation.] _______________________page four____________________ IMPLEMENTATION It shall be unlawful to discriminate against a person, or group of persons, a) in any circumstances whatsoever including laws and practice concerning employment, partnership, housing, education, health-care, censorship, political asylum, child custody, immigration, fostering and adoption, military service, donor insemination, government and judicial administration, and the provision of goods and services; and b) on any grounds including actual or perceived sexual identity or orientation, sex or gender, race, national or social origin, religion, language, political opinion or belief, age, disability, HIV status or other medical condition. All persons suffering discrimination shall be entitled to legal redress, including the restitution of their rights and compensation. [Note - The implementation text is based upon Peter Tatchell's draft European anti-discrimination directive in _Europe in the Pink_ Gay Men's Press 1992] Action Where can you raise this demand for equality for all? You can make your views known to your MP, your MEP, and your local councillor. Find out their opinion on equality. When you get a response, tell Outright Scotland. If you are a member of a trade union, ask your branch to support the equality demand and request that this support is communicated to your local Trades Council and to the STUC in Glasgow. Other important bodies who can support this Claim of Right include religious groups, student associations, community councils and political party branches. Finally, letters to local and national newspaper editors help to show that the Claim of Right has broad support in the community at large. ***************************************************************************** * To subscribe to QUEERLAW, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe queerlaw * * To unsubscribe to QUEERLAW, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe queerlaw * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * * There is also a QUEERLAW-DIGEST mailing list available * ******************************************************************************