Nicola Sturgeon will leave behind a strong legacy of LGBTQ+ allyship following her resignation as Scotland’s first minister. Sturgeon announced on Wednesday (15 February) that she will stand down as SNP leader and first minister imminently, once a successor has been chosen. Among LGBTQ+ people, there was an outpouring of worry, disappointment and frustration as they prepared to say goodbye to a leader who has advocated for their rights in an increasingly fraught environment. During her time as first minister, Sturgeon has taken action to improve LGBTQ+ lives. Sturgeon was first minister when Holyrood voted to legalise same sex marriage in Scotland in 2014. Writing in PinkNews at the time, she said she it was one of her proudest days.