Firefighter leads fight against homophobia and bullying across Falkirk district

Watch Commander Stuart McNiven is working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s partners and charities such as LGBT Youth Scotland to tackle discrimination in the district, and West Lothian.

Stuart began working with LGBT+ groups in 2017, and saw how offensive graffiti, verbal bullying and discrimination could impact the mental health of young people.

He is now working closely with LGBT+ youth, to support them in their health and wellbeing, give advice and educate other young people about LGBT+ issues.

He said: “Having family members in the LGBT community might explain it, but when I found there had been a brief, but significant, spike in hate crimes against LGBT+ youths in the area I wanted to get involved.

“There was offensive graffiti and insults being shouted at young people who already had mental health issues and were being socially isolated on one way or another.”

Stuart began working with LGBT Youth Scotland - the country’s national charity for LGBT+ young people - and play a leading role in the provision of quality youth work for them that promotes their health and wellbeing.

He continued: “We ran awareness sessions around gender pronouns and certain hot topics that were affecting young LGBT+ people, which culminated in an evening at Falkirk Fire Station.

“There were firefighters in attendance that night with more than 25 years’ service, and children older than the young people they were learning from. Moments like that leave an indelible mark on you.”

More than three years later, Stuart continues his work as an LGBT+ ally with young members of the LGBT+ community and has joined the SFRS LGBT employee network to help his colleagues too.

Stuart said: “Being a white, straight man, I’ve never had to deal with physical or mental harm because of my gender or sexual DNA.

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“But when you join the fire service, you're driven by a duty to help cure the ills of what causes inequalities in society.

“We don’t have magic wands, but we're a motivated workforce with the ability to identify danger, risk or harm and we’re armed with the power to take steps to help alleviate those things.”

Stuart also serves on the committee of West Lothian Pride, which went virtual last year.

and the service showed great support for the event.

He explained: : “Colleagues across the service showed their support for the event, including the Chief Officer whose message went a long way with the audience.”

The role of an LGBT+ ally is different for everyone - and, for Stuart, it’s about being inclusive and supportive.

He said: “Someone once said to me, ‘allies have a far greater impact when it comes to helping the fight for true equality and one can’t take that lightly’, and it’s always stuck with me.

“I would ask others to consider if they could be an ally, and also say to anyone out there who is struggling – there is help available.”

> This LGBT History Month, unsung people are being celebrated and unheard stories of LGBT+ lives are being revealed. Visit LGBT History Month for more: https://www.lgbthistory.org.uk/

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