Iris Duane opens up about life as MSP after historic election

Three months on from the Scottish Parliamentary elections, Hits Radio Pride has been catching up by a history-maker in Holyrood.

Back in May, Iris Duane became an official MSP for the Glasgow region, and is now the first openly trans woman to be elected to one of the four UK Parliaments.

Alongside fellow trans member for Edinburgh and Lothaians, Q Manivannan MSP, Iris' victory for the Scottish Greens has been described as a beacon of progress in representation and diversity within political spheres.

'It's been slightly overwhelming, but I'm enjoying it all the same'

"It's definitely all brand-new to me, but I'm really enjoying helping people out in the day-to-day - it's been slightly overwhelming, but I'm enjoying it all the same," Iris told Hits Radio Pride.

"Behind-the-scenes, I can see a lot of people who genuinely want to make a difference, and I'm really heartened by some of my colleagues, and a lot of the work that we're doing together.

"And whilst we've had this massive cultural moment, with my election into Holyrood, on the ground, as my experience as a trans person, some of the negativity we see online has not been the same.

"Especially in the election, I knocked on thousands of doors, and put out my manifesto, and the reaction was all about the politics, about what I could deliver, and not about my identity.

"That's why I was so surprised, when I was elected, that this is what some individuals wanted to focus on - but each to their own, I guess.

"Being trans certainly isn't the most interesting part of my life, and I say that, because I'm also the first Black person to sit in Holyrood, and I'm also currently the youngest UK Parliamentarian.

"In my everyday life, being trans really isn't something that comes up - and I'm seeing people mainly being concerned on the cost of living, cost of transport, and housing.

"I just never thought my gender would be the largest thing people would focus on."

'Our Parliament absolutely should use its powers to protect LGBT+ people'

Our conversation comes at a time when LGBT+ charities in Scotland have launched their call for a 'comprehensive' end to conversion therapy.

A Draft Bill has been published by the UK government on outlining the practice, but organisations north of the border have hit out, claiming that these measures don't go far enough.

You can read the Draft Bill in full here.

One of the main concerns is that some unregulated therapists could still get around the legislation, whilst currently, Scotland is the only part of the UK that has not introduced a draft bill to end the harm caused by conversion practices.

Iris told Hits Radio Pride: "I am hoping that the Scottish Government will take heed of the call being made by the consortium of LGBT+ charities on this issue, and use the powers that we have to bring forward a conversion therapy bill.

"Whilst they have said that they will wait for the UK version to come forward, it has now been drafted, and it's very clear that it's not strong enough.

"Our Parliament absolutely use the powers that afforded to it to make that stronger and protect LGBT+ people where it can.

"I'm not particularly surprised it has taken this long, if I'm honest.

"I think we've seen slow progress in some areas where it comes to equality rights for all kinds of people.

"Especially here in Scotland, we've had successive promises when it comes to things like conversion therapy and more broadly progressive policies.

"What we have seen, however, unfortunately, is a concerted effort to back-pedal on equality and some of the rights which we have already fought and won.

"So, I think it's so important now more than ever that our Parliament puts in that stop-gap so everyone can be protected under the law.

"And on the so-called 'trans debate', if that's what we want to call it, in light of the publication from the EHRC of their Draft Code of Practice, I'm deeply concerned that what has been tabled, and what is going to come into practice, is unworkable across the board, and will leave everybody upset."

'Being trans isn't the most important part of my life'

So, what's on Iris' playlist?

There's an eclectic mix, including something you might not think a twentysomething would be into - and that's classic.

Iris added: "I'm a big fan of Self Esteem - I think she's great, her music is fantastic.

"I like to listen to classical music to focus - it's nothing prestigious, I listen to The Crown soundtrack!

"There's a string quartet on Spotify who perform songs like they do on Bridgerton, which is a very sad thing for a 23-year-old to say, but it's definitely very helpful!

"And I love a lot of Blues, which is right up my street - so as I said, my sexuality really isn't the most interesting thing about me and my life."

Scottish Government response on conversion practices

Minister for Equalities Simita Kumar said: “We remain absolutely committed to ending these abusive practices in Scotland.

“I met with the UK Government Minister responsible recently to discuss their draft Bill. We welcome the publication of their Bill and are now carefully considering their proposals.”

A Government spokesperson said: “An abusive conversation practice would never be legitimate healthcare. Perpetrators will not be able to hide behind this exemption, which exists only to protect legitimate support.

“Our Conversion Practices ban aligns with international best practices by being trans-inclusive, protecting people from harm, and including a custodial sentence.

“We are engaging with Devolved Governments on how we can work together to ban conversion practices across the UK.”

Last year, the Scottish Government revealed the details of a consultation, which uncovered a level of division on plans to end conversion practices in the country - and you can read about that here.

You can read more about the call for the Scottish Government to implement a 'comprehensive' end to conversion therapy here.

There's plenty of support and advice on the Conversion Therapy Support Service website.

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