(He/Him/His)
Dougie Morgan is the LGBT+ Veterans Community Worker for Scotland and Northern Ireland. He has over 38 years experience in the British Army, serving from 1979 – 2016 including 26 years in the Black Watch. During his regular and reserve service, he was the deputy chair for the British Army LGBT Forum for over 2 years, and he was the lead for all LGBT matters in Scotland.
Dougie was a Mental Health First Aid Instructor whilst serving and has continued to ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally in all his posts after service. After completing his military service, he worked at Edinburgh Airport as a Security Officer and a member of the Additional Needs Team and was responsible for ensuring anyone with hidden disabilities and additional needs were supported through the airport which could be very challenging. He is MHFA and ASIST trained.
During the Covid lockdown, he worked at Sainsbury’s as a delivery driver and Gleneagles 5 * Hotel as a guest planner. In 2015 Dougie received a Proud of Scotland ‘Uniformed Icon of the Year’ award for services to the LGBT+ community.
Dougie has been married to Graeme for 8 years and together for 13 years, and they live in Alloa.
I will be at Aberdeen Ebury Job Centre on Monday 20th November, 1000hrs-1200hrs. This will be set up like a job fair event, and FwP will have a stall, so if you are in the area, please drop in and say hello. Douglas Lumsden MSP has confirmed his attendance and is a member of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party for Armed Forces and Veterans Community Committee.
We look forward to seeing you and hope that many LGBT+ Veterans can come along and have the opportunity to meet me and learn about the fantastic support we can offer.
Glasgow and the West Coast of Scotland
Calling all LGBT+ Veterans and serving personnel in Glasgow and the West of Scotland who were affected by the military ban on homosexuality and who can get to Glasgow on Tuesday 5th December.
WHAT: I have started a social meet-up group to bring together all LGBT+ Veterans in a safe, supportive, and like-minded place where we can socialise, have a chat and a general get-together. Tea and coffee will be provided.
WHY: It’s hard to find an inclusive gathering that fits all our needs in one place but is also understanding and accepting of our experiences, so having a meet-up will do just that.
WHERE: Fighting With Pride Drop-in Session Tuesday 5th December Floor 2 Pierce Institute Community Veterans Support Quiet Room – 1300 – 1500hrs (Handy for Underground Govan Station)
So if you are interested, please come along. We know that people are spread far and wide, but we need to start this somewhere and eventually hope to replicate this in other places over time.
CONTACT: Dougie Morgan dougie.morgan@fightingwithpride.org.uk to register your attendance or to ask for more details.
Edinburgh, West Lothian, Scottish Borders and Fife
Calling all LGBT+ Veterans and serving personnel in Edinburgh, West Lothian, Scottish Borders and Fife who were affected by the military ban on homosexuality and who can get to Veterans First Point Gilmerton and Lothians Veterans Centre Dalkeith on 6th February 2024.
WHAT: I have started a social meet-up group to bring together all LGBT+ Veterans in a safe, supportive, and like-minded place where we can socialise, have a chat and a general get-together. Tea and coffee will be provided.
WHY: It’s hard to find an inclusive gathering that fits all our needs in one place but is also understanding and accepting of our experiences, so having a meet-up will do just that.
WHERE: Fighting With Pride Drop-in Session Tuesday 6th February Lothians Veterans Centre Dalkeith 11 Eskdale Street Dalkeith EH22 1AG 1100hrs-1230hrs and Lothian Veterans First Point Erskine 468 Gilmerton Road First Floor, Rothsay Wing Edinburgh EH17 7SA 1330hrs – 1500hrs.
So, if you are interested, please come along. We know that people are spread far and wide, but we need to start this somewhere and eventually hope to replicate this in other places over time.
CONTACT: Dougie Morgan dougie.morgan@fightingwithpride.org.uk to register your attendance or to ask for more details.
Pride events for Scotland and N.I. have finished for this year. We will try and get involved in as many local 2024 prides as we possibly can and it would be great if you could come along and support us. We will let you know the details as we get information and post them here and in our Newsletter.