Indian Non-binary MSP Elected to Scottish Parliament
Indian Non-binary MSP Q Manivannan has created history by becoming a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) in Scotland. Manivannan, who is from Tamil Nadu, was elected on 8 May 2026 from the Edinburgh & Lothians East seat as a candidate of the Scottish Greens party.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Historic Win for Indian Non-binary MSP
Q Manivannan became one of the first two transgender MSPs elected to the Scottish Parliament, also known as Holyrood. Their election is being seen as an important moment for diversity and equal representation in politics.
Manivannan identifies as a non-binary transgender person and uses they/them pronouns. They have also spoken openly about being a queer Tamil immigrant from a lower-caste background.
What is the Scottish Parliament?
The Scottish Parliament is the law-making body of Scotland. It is located in Edinburgh and is commonly called Holyrood. The Parliament was created in 1999 after the Scotland Act 1998.
The Parliament has 129 MSPs who are elected to represent different areas of Scotland. It is a unicameral legislature, meaning it has only one law-making chamber.
Education Journey of Q Manivannan
Before moving to Scotland, Manivannan studied at OP Jindal Global University in Delhi. In September 2021, they moved to Scotland to continue studies at the University of St Andrews.
Their educational journey and political rise have inspired many young people from marginalised communities.
New UK Law Helped Indian Non-binary MSP
A major reason behind this historic election was a new law introduced by the SNP government in 2025. The law allows non-UK citizens with any type of legal stay, including student visas, to contest elections in Scotland.
Because of this change, Manivannan became the first person elected to Holyrood without having a permanent UK visa.
Political Views and Public Attention
Manivannan contested the election as a candidate of the Scottish Greens, a political party known for supporting environmental protection and social equality.
They have also expressed support for Palestine and often speak about the rights of working-class and marginalised people. Their election has received global attention and started discussions about representation, migration, and inclusivity in politics.
