Conference notes that life for many of our members can be difficult. In addition to the challenges of heterosexism, homophobia, bipobia and transphobia, for many LGBT people rural living presents added difficulties including social and geographical isolation, transportation problems, and lack of basic resources, facilities and services. To address the social exclusion and isolation of […]
Conference motions
This Conference, welcomes the Lesbian Advocacy Services Initiative (LASI) research into lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) mental, emotional & sexual health that highlights and acknowledges that homophobia and heterosexism are a primary cause of mental ill health for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Conference acknowledges that transphobia is a primary cause of mental ill health […]
Conference welcomes the partnership work between the Scottish Transgender Alliance and UNISON which has resulted in the creation of a new Guide for UNISON Reps on Supporting Transgender Members at Work. Conference also welcomes that the UNISON Bargaining Factsheet on Negotiating for Trans Workers’ Rights was updated in May to take account of the new […]
Conference recognises that human rights must be universal, not conditional, and therefore all trans people must have their dignity upheld and their gender identity and privacy respected regardless of their physical anatomy or legal gender. Conference welcomes that the Gender Recognition Act 2004 makes it a criminal offence for someone who acquires information in an […]
Conference notes that trade union membership density in most employers where UNISON has members has been falling in recent years and that less than one in two public sector workers are members of UNISON. Conference recognises that we need to grow in numbers and density to grow in influence with employers and the government and […]
Conference notes that despite some high profile achievements, the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in public and political life remains low. Stonewall’s 2008 “Serves you Right” report found that there were no openly gay or lesbian people in the British cabinet, the Scottish cabinet or the Welsh cabinet. There were only […]
Conference welcomes the creation of the EHRC whose job is to provide support to equality and human rights in England, Scotland and Wales, while in Northern Ireland (NI) the NI Equality Commission has existed for some time. Conference welcomes the fact that one of the areas prioritised by the Commission has been to litigate in […]
Conference supports the organisation and participation of events to encourage and celebrate achievements and to promote the involvement of women, black members and disabled members who self define as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT). Conference welcomes and commends the work of the National LGBT Committee regarding the active and positive participation by those who […]
This Conference expresses its disgust at all forms of sexual assault. Victims of such crimes deserve the full support of everybody and the full protection of the law. Conference notes that sex attacks on men could be reported less consistently than attacks on women; therefore male victims may remain invisible and unsupported. Conference notes that […]
Conference welcomes the initiative launched by The Premiership and Football League in trying to rid football from homophobia. Whilst recognising that this is a good starting point, conference believes that more work is needed to ensure the campaign develops in success to the levels achieved by UNISON involvement in campaigns such as ‘Show Racism the […]
Conference notes that by their very nature, sexual matters are private and confidential. Conference further notes that some people are comfortable talking about their partner but that many people do not share such information with their managers or colleagues. Conference supports organisations that make strenuous efforts to ensure confidentiality of procedures and information management systems […]
Conference notes that homophobic bullying causes permanent damage to young people and blights the schools and colleges where it takes place. Conference further notes that homophobia affects all pupils, students and staff regardless of their sexual orientation. Conference recognises that state schools in England and Wales have a duty of care to ensure the safety […]
Conference affirms that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality is an integral part of the organising and bargaining work of the union. Conference considers that UNISON’s Equality Scheme is a significant opportunity to achieve this. The purpose of the Equality Scheme is to make sure that equality is promoted and discrimination challenged in everything […]
Conference is aware that some employers encourage their employees to donate blood by allowing the National Blood Service (NBS) to run donor sessions in the workplace. Conference notes that for people who may be unable to donate due to current donor selection criteria (including many gay and bisexual men, as well as people with medical […]
Conference welcomes the new UNISON Equality Scheme which, in addition to covering the statutory equality streams of gender, gender identity, race, disability, sexual orientation, age and religion/belief, also seeks to ensure equality within the union on the grounds of low pay. Conference acknowledges that although the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) self organised group […]