Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank the Deputy Minister for making this statement today on LGBTQ+ History Month? I think it's a really important topic and something that I hope we can all work across the Chamber to raise the profile of and aid people's understanding of the importance of this month as well. I'm, like you, very proud to live in one of the most open and tolerant places in the world where people can identify as LGBTQ+, and I'm sure the vast majority of us strongly believe that everyone should be free to live their lives and fulfil their potential regardless of whom they choose to love.

But I think it's important that it's not a cause that we take for granted, particularly internationally, where the picture is often very different indeed. So, whilst foreign affairs are not devolved to the Welsh Government, we still have an international strategy to sell Wales to the world. Can I begin by asking what approach the Welsh Government is taking, via its international strategy, when it deals with countries where homosexuality is illegal or LGBTQ+ rights are not as strong as they are here in the UK?

But we mustn't be complacent here, either, about the picture here domestically. It was only in 1967—55 years ago—that it was illegal to be gay in England and Wales. Thankfully, the shameful section 28 was repealed in 2003 as well, just less than 20 years ago. Thankfully, our recent history has been a lot more positive. Last year saw the removal of the three-month ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood, for example, and now Pride events across Wales form a crucial part of our annual events calendar, COVID permitting, obviously.

Perhaps the landmark change in LGBTQ+ rights in recent years in the UK was the introduction of same-sex marriage, which has literally been life changing for many gay and lesbian couples across the country. Next year will mark 10 years since the Act was passed to legalise same-sex marriage in the UK, so I wonder what plans, if any, the Welsh Government have to commemorate this landmark event next year.

Despite all of the progress and the history in recent years that we've both discussed, there's still much, much further to go. You mentioned statistics, and I've got some of my own. According to a report published by Gallup, eight out of 10 respondents had experienced anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime and hate speech online in the last five years in the UK, and five in 10 respondents had experienced online abuse 10 or more times. Furthermore, hate crimes based on sexual orientation have risen by 13 per cent since 2017, while hate crimes against trans people have more than doubled. Furthermore, almost one in four LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

I'm sure you'll agree with me, Deputy Minister, that these are really concerning figures. So, what discussions are the Welsh Government having with the UK Government to ensure that this abuse is tackled at its roots and to ensure that Wales is a safe place for everyone? What is the Welsh Government doing to encourage people to report these crimes in the first instance?

Deputy Minister, it's vital that LGBTQ+ individuals experience fair and equal treatment when accessing health and social care services, with staff trained to effectively support patients and service users with specific needs. Therefore, can I ask what discussions you've had with the Minister for Health and Social Services to ensure adequate equality training for the NHS and those working in social services, and to address intersectionality, including issues affecting disabled women, BAME and LGBTQ+ disabled people as well?

You also mentioned in your statement the Welsh Government's LGBT plan, which was launched in July of last year. At that time, my colleague Altaf Hussain rightly mentioned the importance of the Senedd having a clear and ongoing role in the scrutiny of that plan. He asked you to commit to an annual review of the plan in the Senedd. At that time, you said you were open to thinking about ways to involve the Senedd in the scrutiny of the plan to hold the Government's feet to the fire on it. So, six months on, I wanted to ask you what the outcome of that consideration is and whether you'll commit to Altaf Hussain's calls for an annual review by the Senedd of the LGBT plan.

Finally, Deputy Minister, you also mentioned in your statement the fact that there are now gender identity services here in Wales, which, of course, will be very welcome for those individuals who need those services. However, I'm sure you'll find it concerning that there's currently no gender identity clinic here in Wales, which means that those in need have to travel to England at the moment to find one. Two years ago, the Senedd voted to explore the possibility of opening a new gender identity clinic here in Wales, yet Wales remains the only one of the four countries in the UK not to have one. So, whilst the Welsh gender service was creating following a commitment made in 2017, why do so many people still have to make that journey to England to attend a gender identity clinic?