A small group of campaigners from the Scottish Family Party gathered outside the Sandyford sexual health clinic in Glasgow, Scotland. The clinic offers a range of services, including abortion and transgender healthcare. The Scottish Family Party carried out a mock “bricking up” of the clinic’s entrance using cardboard boxes, prompting a counter-demonstration from the LGBT community. Cabaret Against The Hate Speech, an LGBTQ+ and ally group, organized the counter-protest and encouraged people to bring along megaphones and instruments for a live karaoke.
As the two groups gathered outside the clinic, police officers kept them apart to prevent any potential conflicts. The protest ended without any arrests, and a Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that all involved have left the location.
This protest comes at a time when Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay is championing a bill in the Scottish Parliament that would establish “safe access zones” around healthcare settings that provide abortion services. The bill would ensure that patients and staff can access such services without facing intimidation or harassment from protesters.
The Scottish Family Party’s protest against the Sandyford clinic has sparked outrage in the LGBT community, who have criticized the party’s stance on transgender healthcare. The counter-demonstration organized by Cabaret Against The Hate Speech aimed to show solidarity with the clinic’s patients and staff and to stand up against hate and discrimination.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBT community in Scotland and the need for continued advocacy and support. As the country works to establish more inclusive policies and protections, it is crucial that the voices and rights of all members of the community are heard and respected.
