Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick and Highland Council's Fiona Shearer named as finalists in leadership category of Proud Scotland Awards 2023

Scottish Government minister for equalities, migration and refugees Emma Roddick has been nominated for a Proud Scotland Award.

Celebrating the LGBT+ communities highlights and most prominent members, the awards take place every year and are organised by pride groups in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Highlands and Islands representative has been shortlisted in the leadership category, alongside former SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Other nominees include Army LGBT+ Forum Scotland lead, Staff Sergeant Johanne Mundie, Time for Inclusive Education co-founder Jordan Daly, cancer charity worker Luke Mallett and chief executive of HIV and sexual health charity Richard Angell.

Roddick spoke passionately during the Holyrood debate on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, and is part of the LGBT+ community herself.

Roddick is not the only Highland representation in the Proud Scotland Awards shortlists, though, as Highland Council's south area education and learning manager Fiona Shearer is a finalist in the education category.

Shearer is listed alongside equalities lead staff member at Castleton Primary School in Glasgow Ainsley Rogers, Glasgow Science Centre, Mearns Castle High School, Musselburgh Sea Cadets and the University of Glasgow.

The awards night will take place on Saturday, June 3 in Glasgow.

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