Consultation with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Communities 
The Scottish Government must ensure that all its activities seek to meet the needs of the people it serves. This means that the Government must consider equality issues in the formulation, design and delivery of policy, legislation and services.
This can only be accomplished with the involvement and consultation of equality interests and communities. Developing this engagement is a fundamental part of the Scottish Government and the Equality Unit's work.
Projects
The Government is currently funding a number of projects which aim to involve LGBT people in the work of the government, for example:
Equality Network Your Scotland Project - is aimed at increasing the involvement of LGBT people in the Government's policy making process.
Equality Network LGBT Community Sector Building Project - A project to support the development of the LGBT sector, which will help to strengthen the active participation of local LGBT groups and individuals in civic life and in decision-making structures, and to increase their engagement in consultation and involvement events at both a national and local level.
Equality Network Scottish Transgender Alliance Project - A national project in partnership with the Scottish Transgender Alliance to support local transgender groups and individuals, to challenge inequality and discrimination, and to increase the participation of transgender people in Scottish daily and public life.
Equality Network Policy Analysis and Engagement Project - A project to analyse current and developing policy and legislation from an LGBT perspective for use by Scottish Government, public bodies and LGBT communities.
LGBT Youth Community Development and Capacity Building Project - A national community development project to work with local LGBT communities so that they become more visible in their local areas and become better equipped and supported to participate in local decision-making structures.
LGBT Youth Young People's Policy and Participation Project- A project to encourage young LGBT people to become confident and ambitious individuals within their communities, and to enable the views of young LGBT people to impact positively on issues which affect their lives.
LGBT Youth LGBT Domestic Abuse Project - A project to work with mainstream providers across Scotland to improve the response to LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse.
LGBT Youth History Month Project- A project to support and develop LGBT History Month in Scotland and celebrate the lives and achievements of LGBT Scots.
Stonewall Scotland Good Practice Project - A national project which aims to demonstrate good practice and encourage mainstreaming of LGBT equality in local authorities and the broader public sector. This project will encourage and support work across the public sector to improve understanding of LGBT inclusion in policy making and service planning and delivery.
Meetings and Events
- Scottish Government Meetings with National LGBT Organisations - The Scottish Government meets on a quarterly basis with three national LGBT organisations - Stonewall Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland, and the Equality Network to discuss any areas of concern or particular policy interest.
- LGBT Hearts and Minds Agenda Group - The Hearts and Minds Agenda Group was established in June 2006 to look at issues of prejudice and discrimination towards LGBT people. In february 2008, The Scottish Government published the group's report "Challenging Prejudice: Changing Attitudes towards LGBT People in Scotland" . The report contained recommendations directed at the Government and other organisations which aim to reduce prejudice and change negative attitudes towards LGBT people. report. Scottish Ministers are currently considering the recommendations aimed at the Scottish Government, and will publish a response to the report shortly.
- LGBT History Month Reception - In February 2008 the Minister for Communities and Sport, Stewart Maxwell hosted a reception at Edinburgh Castle to celebrate LGBT History Month. At the reception, the Minister was presented with a copy of the "Challenging Prejudice" report by the Hearts and Minds Agenda Group.