Humanist Society Scotland

Humanist Society Scotland We are the national charity for humanists in Scotland. We provide a range of non-religious ceremonies and campaign for a secular state.
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Humanist Society Scotland seeks to represent the views of people in Scotland who wish to lead ethical and fulfilling lives guided by reason, empathy and compassion. HSS has over 15,000 members across Scotland.

POV: You're working to decriminalise abortion in Scotland and the new convenor of Holyrood's health committee thinks tha...
16/06/2026

POV: You're working to decriminalise abortion in Scotland and the new convenor of Holyrood's health committee thinks that women lie about the extent of their pregnancies to access abortion care, and that abortion causes foetuses to be born alive.

ICYMI, last week The Herald broke a story about the extreme anti-abortion views of Reform UK MSP Helen McDade, who is the new Convenor of Holyrood's Health Committee.

In a "Christian hustings" held before May's elections, McDade gave an extraordinary speech outlining her opposition to decriminalisation of abortion. The above is just one snippet. Across the course of two minutes, McDade:

--Described decriminalisation of abortion in England and Wales as "appalling"
--Used a comparison with spaying feral cats to outline her position on abortion
--Implied that women lie about the extent of their pregnancy to access abortion care
--Peddled the "born alive" myth that foetuses can survive abortion and are left "gasping for life in hospitals"
--Suggested that "Indian families" practice sex-selective abortion.

Lest it be implied that anyone is taking the above out of context, footage is freely available to watch on Youtube or at the link below, where you can read our full response to this: https://www.humanism.scot/2026/06/15/humanist-society-responds-as-footage-reveals-reform-uks-new-health-committee-convenor-comparing-pregnant-women-to-feral-cats/

Engender (Scotland)

15/06/2026

Anyone for bean soup? NO I DON'T LIKE BEANS, EVERYONE STOP EATING BEAN SOUP!!

Can you think of any comparisons?

Australian comic Rhys Nicholson with some facts

Have you seen The Herald exclusive that's just dropped? Reform UK's new convenor of the Holyrood health committee, Helen...
12/06/2026

Have you seen The Herald exclusive that's just dropped? Reform UK's new convenor of the Holyrood health committee, Helen McDade MSP, has called abortion decriminalisation in England and Wales "appalling" and used a comparison with spayed feral cats to express her position on abortion rights.

Humanist Society Scotland CEO Janine Hunt writes: "It is deeply shocking to hear the views on abortion expressed by Reform MSP Helen McDade MSP during a pre-election hustings in March.

"The current parliamentary term will see Holyrood's health committee overseeing the passage of sensitive and complex legislation with profound implications for reproductive health and women's health in Scotland.

"We understand parliament contains a diversity of views. However, the open expression of such extreme positions by someone now expected to fulfil the role of health committee convenor in a professional and even-handed way is incredibly troubling.

"Humanist Society will work constructively and tirelessly to ensure the health committee respects the Scottish public's overwhelming support for a woman's right to choose, and addresses unacceptable gaps in abortion healthcare."

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26188787.holyrood-health-convener-compares-pregnant-women-feral-cats/

Engender (Scotland) Bpas

We had a bit of a dust-up with some climate deniers on Facebook after we shared a post from Greenpeace. But it did throw...
12/06/2026

We had a bit of a dust-up with some climate deniers on Facebook after we shared a post from Greenpeace. But it did throw up some lovely memes from folks with their heads screwed on. Please enjoy!

This is why Pride is still needed, in Scotland and around the UK.As reactionary journalists tell us Londoners live in a ...
11/06/2026

This is why Pride is still needed, in Scotland and around the UK.

As reactionary journalists tell us Londoners live in a "trans North Korea", councils are actively removing support from LGBT+ events and displays. Meanwhile, politicians with the same views have been newly elected to the Scottish parliament.

We know the voices of reaction in Britain today love quoting Orwell at us, so how's this for some 2+2=5 thinking?

Humanist Society Scotland condemns the violent scenes that unfolded in Glasgow last night, which saw masked men walking ...
10/06/2026

Humanist Society Scotland condemns the violent scenes that unfolded in Glasgow last night, which saw masked men walking through the city centre, intimidating passers by and, according to a report from Glasgow Stand Up to Racism, stealing a delivery driver's bike and physically attacking people. Other, similar demonstrations were held in Edinburgh and Ayr.

These far-right marches follow the stabbing of a man in Belfast, for which a charge of attempted murder has already been laid. Last night proves that Scotland is not immune to the kind of racist violence that recenlty erupted in England following the tragic murder of Henry Nowak.

We want to express solidarity with other faith and belief groups in Scotland in condemning this attack, in particular Sikh, Muslim, and Christian groups. We also need to acknowledge that a small fringe of far-right activists has weaponised Christian imagery and slogans over the past few years to advance a deeply divisive nationalist agenda. Bigoted Christian nationalism of this type has no place in our culture.

These scenes represent the opposite of the Scotland we want to see: one defined by tolerance, rationality, collaboration, and equality.

Have you seen the Herald exclusive this morning? We're amongst the 36 organisations who have written to First Minister J...
09/06/2026

Have you seen the Herald exclusive this morning? We're amongst the 36 organisations who have written to First Minister John Swinney urging him to reinstate a women's health minister.

The role was removed following last month’s elections, despite mounting challenges across women’s healthcare in Scotland, from rising wait times for gynaecological care and persistent gaps in abortion provision.

Read more: https://www.bpas.org/about-bpas/press-office/press-releases/coalition-call-on-first-minister-to-reinstate-a-dedicated-women-s-health-minister/

Engender (Scotland) Bpas

08/06/2026

"God's not real and I am."

Happy Pride Month from

Happy Day 2026. It all kicks off at 12.30 at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. More info here: https://highlandpride.or...
06/06/2026

Happy Day 2026. It all kicks off at 12.30 at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. More info here: https://highlandpride.org/events-page/pride-2026/

The humanist movement and the LGBT+ movement in Scotland share many members, and many causes. We were an integral part of the push for equal marriage, and we're currently working to end anti-LGBT+ conversion practices.

We'll be doing shout-outs for the other marches across Scotland all through and beyond!

To mark the start of , we're sharing an interview with the President of Accra Atheists and Vice-President of Humanists ...
05/06/2026

To mark the start of , we're sharing an interview with the President of Accra Atheists and Vice-President of Humanists International, Roslyn Mould.

Roslyn is an inspiring and tireless campaigner who has done huge amounts to promote free thought, scepticism, and LGBT+ rights in West Africa. She spoke to us about the enormous challenges facing these movements but also what humanists and allies can do to push back against the bigotry of the religious right both in her region and around the world.

https://www.humanism.scot/2026/06/01/humanist-society-interview-series-roslyn-mould-on-lgbt-rights-in-west-africa-and-more/

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Edinburgh

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+443003020680

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