An image of Gemma leaning against a concrete waymarker, probably on a mountain walk, on a foggy day. She smiles at the camera, has died auburn hair and a maroon jacket.

Humanist Society interview series: Gemma Clark, abortion rights campaigner

May 22, 2023

At Humanist Society Scotland, we love talking to inspiring campaigners. We got to know abortion-rights activist and primary schoolteacher Gemma Clark through her awareness-raising work on the need for buffer zones around abortion services. Scotland is the last part of…

Humanist Society interview series: Gemma Clark, abortion rights campaigner
A view of a child's hand being raised in a classroom and a teacher selecting them to make a comment or answer a question.

Schools did not provide balance to anti-abortion visits: Humanist Society comments in The Herald

May 2, 2023

We were pleased to have our say in a new article in The Herald revealing that eight Scottish local authorities which allowed an anti-abortion group to speak to pupils about reproductive health failed to provide alternative, pro-choice visits. The Society…

Schools did not provide balance to anti-abortion visits: Humanist Society comments in The Herald
An image of the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood with Calton Hill and the city of Edinburgh in the background.

Our priorities for Humza Yousaf

April 25, 2023

The current parliamentary term could be a pivotal time for humanism in Scotland. We look forward to the passing of a law to protect women from harassment outside abortion clinics, and we hope that new rules will follow to ensure…

Our priorities for Humza Yousaf
A picture of Humza Yousaf in a blue suit and tartan tie in a living room-type space with lamp and painting in the background. He is shown from the torso up and is positioned to the right of shot, smiling at the camera.

Humanist Society responds to election of Humza Yousaf

March 27, 2023

Humanist Society Scotland notes the election of Humza Yousaf as new leader of the Scottish National Party and candidate for first minister of Scotland. We wish Mr Yousaf all the best in his new role and look forward to working…

Humanist Society responds to election of Humza Yousaf
Humza Yousaf stands in a blue suit in front of a balcony with an internal courtyard space and circular windows beyond.

Humza Yousaf responds to our open letter to SNP leadership candidates

March 8, 2023

Ten days ago, on 27 February 2023, we wrote an open letter to the three candidates for leadership of the SNP, Kate Forbes, Ash Regan, and Humza Yousaf, asking for assurances on some our key commitments this year. Humza Yousaf…

Humza Yousaf responds to our open letter to SNP leadership candidates
A portrait shot of Lucy Grieve. She wears a black top, has shoulder length brown hair, and smiles at the camera.

Humanist Society Scotland interview series: Lucy Grieve, co-founder of Back Off Scotland, on fighting for safe access to abortion services

March 2, 2023

We spoke to Lucy Grieve, co-founder of women’s health rights movement Back Off Scotland, about campaigning for safe access to abortion services across Scotland. Health facilities offering abortion healthcare are routinely picketed by religious protestors who harass women on their…

Humanist Society Scotland interview series: Lucy Grieve, co-founder of Back Off Scotland, on fighting for safe access to abortion services
Parliamentary portraits of Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf, and Ash Regan arranged from left to right.

We write to SNP leadership candidates to gauge support on key humanist causes

February 27, 2023

The following open letter was sent to all candidates for leadership of the Scottish National Party on 27 February 2023. We asked for assurances related to some of our key commitments this year: smooth implementation of assisted dying legislation; bringing…

We write to SNP leadership candidates to gauge support on key humanist causes
A picture of Kate Forbes wearing a red jacket and flowered dress in an interior with circular windows in the background.

Humanist Society comments on Kate Forbes’s links to evangelical charities in Third Force News

February 22, 2023

We offered our thoughts on Kate Forbes’s connections to a number of evangelical Christian organisations for an article by Niall Christie in Third Force News. Here’s our statement for Third Force News in full: “Humanist Society Scotland is aware of…

Humanist Society comments on Kate Forbes’s links to evangelical charities in Third Force News
Fraser Sutherland, wearing a blue suit, addresses a crowd infront of a banner reading "Humanist Society Scotland".

Our CEO talks Kate Forbes, faith, and policy-making on BBC Radio Scotland

Humanist Society Scotland CEO Fraser Sutherland appeared on BBC Radio Scotland on 21 February to talk about faith and policy-making in a secular country. There has been much discussion in recent days of FM candidate Kate Forbes’s links to a…

Our CEO talks Kate Forbes, faith, and policy-making on BBC Radio Scotland
A group of campaigners hold a banner in a street in Glasgow that reads "Every Mother A Willing Mother, Every Child A Wanted Child" with the Humanist Society Scotland logo on it. There are five women, one speaking into a megaphone.

Humanist Society supports abortion education petition

February 6, 2023

Humanist Society Scotland has written in support of teacher Gemma Clark’s petition to ensure that children at schools in Scotland have access to medically sound, non-biased abortion education. Ms Clark wrote to the Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions…

Humanist Society supports abortion education petition
Anti abortion protesters standing outside a hospital

Herald exposé of anti-abortion campaign in Scottish schools

December 19, 2022

An expose by The Herald newspaper uncovered how extensive access is given to anti-abortion group SPUC in Scottish schools.

Herald exposé of anti-abortion campaign in Scottish schools