Members meet as a self-organised group at branch, regional and national level.
Branch groups
There is a developing network of branch LGBT+ groups which meet to:
- discuss local terms and conditions;
- build a support network for members facing problems at work;
- provide a forum for the debate of issues;
- assist members in gaining the confidence to get involved in other levels of the union.
Branches join together and feed into regional groups.
Regional groups
Each of UNISON’s 12 regions has a group that meets regularly.
Regional groups are involved in a whole range of activities, including:
- taking up places on the regional structures to represent our members;
- building links with LGBT+ community groups;
- organising training for activists;
- supporting the formation of branch groups;
- working closely with the other self-organised groups and young members in UNISON.
Regional groups each elect two representatives to the national level.
National organisation
LGBT self-organisation at a national level is co-ordinated by the national committee.
There are two seats for each regional LGBT+ group on the committee, plus seats reserved for bi+ and trans members, and for Black and disabled LGBT+ members.
The national LGBT+ committee is a recognised part of the union structure and works with other national committees, such as the national executive council and national negotiators, to ensure our rights are being taken up in every forum.
Stronger together
In UNISON, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus members work together to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and build equality for us all.
We believe we are stronger together. We also recognise it is important to make room for the distinctive voice of bisexual members and transgender members.
These groups have reserved seats on the national committee, to ensure they are well represented. Members are elected at annual national bi+ and trans network meetings, which also agree proposals to the annual national LGBT+ conference.
Black and disabled LGBT+ members
Because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not a uniform group, and because our community is as prone to racism and discrimination against disabled people as the rest of society, Black and disabled members meet as distinctive groups within our self-organised group.
The national committee holds annual meetings for Black and disabled LGBT+ members.
These national network meetings elect members to the national committee and formulate proposals to go to the annual national LGBT+ conference.