SAMS news room

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and eight partners, including SAMS, have signed up to The Scottish LGBTI+ Rainbow Mark during LGBT History Month to support inclusive social spaces across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire.

The Scottish LGBTI+ Rainbow Mark (The Rainbow Mark) was developed with LGBTI+ people and aims to: 

- Increase positive LGBTI+ visibility

- Provide information and tools to enable better LGBTI+ inclusion

- Reduce isolation and minority stress for LGBTI+ people

- Create more welcoming places in Scotland

The signing is a commitment to ensuring UHI campuses and learning centres are inclusive spaces for LGBTI+ students, staff and the wider community and shows a powerful signal of support for The Rainbow Mark’s principles.

The Rainbow Mark will initially apply to SAMS' Ocean Explorer Centre, which is a visitor centre and outreach base for the institute's research. 

Jessica Taylor, UHI’s Interim Head of Corporate Communications, and one of the founding members of The Rainbow Mark during her former role as Chair of Highland Pride said: “I am incredibly proud of UHI and our partners for their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and it feels particularly special to be part of the signing as one of the founding members of the initiative which launched in June 2022.

“There are still no dedicated LGBTI+ social spaces in the Highlands and Islands, Moray or Perthshire and this highlights the need to promote and support inclusive spaces. The Rainbow Mark lets our LGBTI+ students, staff and wider community to know they are welcome and included, and also shows others how to be better allies.”

Vicki Nairn, UHI’s Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “I’m honoured to be part of the signing of The Rainbow Mark alongside our partners. We want to ensure that our LGBTI+ students, staff and wider community know that we are committed to offering places to study and work which fosters an environment of acceptance, understanding, and support.

“To our LGBTI+ students and staff, know that you are valued. You belong here, just as you are.”

For more information about the Scottish LGBTI+ Rainbow Mark, see. www.equality-network.org/rainbowmark