TL;DR
- Nicola Sturgeon reveals in her memoir that she doesn’t view sexuality as binary.
- She addresses bizarre social media rumors about a “lesbian affair.”
- As First Minister, she championed same-sex marriage and gender recognition reform.
- Admits she might have paused trans law reforms due to public backlash.
- Reaffirms belief that women’s rights and trans rights can coexist.
Nicola Sturgeon Gets Candid — and Queer-Friendly
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former First Minister and one of the UK’s most prominent political figures, has opened up in her upcoming memoir about her personal life, her politics, and, yes, her sexuality. And she’s making one thing clear: she’s not here for binary boxes.
In Frankly, out August 14, Sturgeon takes readers from her working-class roots in Ayrshire to the political powerhouse she became in Bute House. Along the way, she revisits her landmark LGBTQ advocacy — including overseeing the legalization of same-sex marriage in Scotland in 2014 — and her push for groundbreaking gender recognition reforms for trans people. Those reforms, which would have made it easier for Scots as young as 16 to change their legal gender, were ultimately blocked by the UK government in an unprecedented political move.
But it’s her personal revelations that are making headlines. Sturgeon writes about wild online rumors that she’d had a “torrid lesbian affair” with French diplomat Catherine Colonna — complete with invented drama about a fight at the Balmoral Hotel and even plans to buy a house from tennis legend Andy Murray’s mom. “For many of those peddling it, ‘lesbian’ and ‘gay’ are meant as insults,” she wrote. “But the nature of the insult itself was water off a duck’s back. I’ve never considered sexuality, my own included, to be binary.”
No Labels, No Rush
Speaking to ITV News, Sturgeon doubled down. “It’s just my view of the world and life and the way people are,” she said. “If you’re about to ask me if I am making some big revelation: no. Am I putting labels on myself, no.” Asked if she might date a woman in the future, she laughed it off, saying she’s fresh out of a marriage and happy just being her own person.
This openness about fluidity — from a leader who has spent decades in public service — is a powerful message for LGBTQ people in Scotland and beyond. It’s a reminder that identity doesn’t have to be defined by rigid categories, and that coming from the top levels of politics, that message carries weight.
The Gender Reform Regret
Sturgeon also admits she might have approached the Gender Recognition Reform Bill differently, given the backlash it sparked. “At the point I knew it was becoming… polarised, I should have said, ‘Right, let’s pause, let’s take a step back,’” she reflected. Still, she insists the rights of women and the interests of trans people “are not irreconcilable.”
For Scotland’s LGBTQ community, Sturgeon’s track record still speaks volumes. She fought for marriage equality, championed trans rights, and stood up to Westminster interference. Even in regret, she frames the issue as a matter of justice, not compromise.
Why It Matters for the LGBTQ Community
At a time when queer identities are being weaponized for political gain, Sturgeon’s refusal to treat “lesbian” or “gay” as slurs — and her declaration that sexuality isn’t binary — is both defiant and affirming. For LGBTQ people in politics, and for anyone navigating their own identity, her stance says: you can lead, you can be complex, and you can refuse to be boxed in.