Ex-Scottish Labour leader Dugdale appointed as Stonewall chairwoman

Key Points:

• Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has been appointed chairwoman of LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, starting in September, while currently chairing Shelter in Scotland and serving as associate director of the Centre for Public Policy.
• Dugdale, who led Scottish Labour from 2017 to 2019, highlighted ongoing challenges in LGBT rights in Scotland, describing progress as "fragile" and sharing personal experiences of caution in public.
• Stonewall faces financial challenges after corporate donations dropped significantly from £348,636 in 2024 to £143,149 in 2025, partly due to the impact of the US government's rollback of diversity and inclusion policies.
• Dugdale expressed commitment to guiding Stonewall through difficult times to influence policy and promote safe, inclusive environments, emphasizing the goal of achieving equal rights for all.
• Stonewall praised Dugdale's extensive experience in law-making, public policy, and advocacy, with both the CEO and outgoing chairwoman endorsing her leadership as a valuable asset for the charity's future.