Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) has been awarded a Silver LGBT Charter Award in recognition of its efforts to become a more inclusive organisation for LGBTQ+ staff, stakeholders and community partners.
The accreditation was presented by LGBT Youth Scotland, the national charity for LGBTQ+ young people, and recognises the work MGS has undertaken to embed inclusion across the organisation.
To achieve the award, MGS completed a range of measures set out by LGBT Youth Scotland, including staff training, a review of policies and resources, and the development of a dedicated LGBTQ+ action plan.
Praising the achievement, LGBT Youth Scotland said MGS had approached the process in a way that was “meaningful, intersectional, and connected to their wider work as the national development body for the museum sector”.
The organisation added: “Their support for queer heritage and collections demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ histories are not only recognised but actively preserved, explored, and shared.”
MGS chief executive Lucy Casot said the award marked an important milestone in the organisation’s wider commitment to equality and inclusion. “I’m proud of the progress that Museums Galleries Scotland is making towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation,” she said.
“The Silver LGBT Charter Award marks a milestone in our efforts to develop a more inclusive museum sector. I’m thankful to LGBT Youth Scotland for their role in supporting this necessary work.”
MGS is only the third heritage organisation to receive an LGBT Youth Scotland Charter Award, following Historic Environment Scotland in 2024 and V&A Dundee in 2025.
The organisation said it would continue delivering on its LGBTQ+ action plan, which includes developing new resources for museums and galleries and running a sector-wide awareness campaign. The work forms part of a broader programme aimed at embedding anti-oppressive practices across all areas of its activity.
As Scotland’s national development body for museums and galleries, MGS supports hundreds of institutions through investment, workforce development, advocacy and professional guidance.
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