| LGBT Newsletter - May 2009 |
Equality Bill welcomed by UNISON
UNISON has welcomed the long-awaited Equality Bill, while expressing concern that more needs to be done if women are to achieve equal pay. The Bill would replace existing equality laws in England, Scotland and Wales with one harmonised Act. It extends protection for trans people and places a new duty on public bodies to promote equality, covering sexual orientation and gender reassignment, as well as other grounds. UNISON is working on a full briefing for MPs and activists. More at:
http://www.unison.org.uk/out/pages_view.asp?did=8701
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UNISON video conference on trans equality and the Equality Bill Ð 7 May
The trans reps on UNISON LGBT committee are holding a video conference to discuss the BillÕs proposals on trans equality. Members who have attended previous trans network days have already been contacted but other trans activists are welcome to participate. The video conference is from 10am to 12 noon on Friday 7 May, with conferencing facilities booked in Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester, Nottingham and London. Contact out@unison.co.uk as soon as possible if you want to join in.
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Pass on the link!
Potential members can now join UNISON on-line at: http://www.unison.org.uk/join/index.asp - send the link to friends and colleagues whoÕve been meaning to join. New UNISON LGBT recruitment materials, for use at pride events and so much more, are now available. Order some and take with you wherever you go. Details at:
http://www.unison.org.uk/out , where you can also see the Spring issue of our newsletter Out in UNISON.
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Take action against the BNP on Union Friday Ð 15 May
Elections to the European Parliament - plus some local elections- take place on 4 June. UNISON is urging everyone to use their vote as low turn-out will increase the BNPÕs chances of winning a seat. The BNP is a racist and homophobic party. Winning just one seat would give them access to public money and a platform to spread their message of hate. Friday 15 May is a Hope not Hate trade union day of action against the BNP. UNISON wants as many of branches and regions as possible doing some activity on this day to create a big show of opposition to fascism. There are lots of resources available Ð more at:
http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/s/fridaysignup
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Faith, homophobia, transphobia and human rights conference Ð 16 May, London
For people of all faiths and none, this conference will counter onslaughts on LGBT access to services, confront exemptions to equality legislation in employment and education, challenge homophobia and transphobia in faith schools and build alliances. Book online at:
http://www.lgcm.org.uk
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IDAHO-UK 2009 - Sunday 17 May
IDAHO is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. This yearÕs theme is ÔEnd Transphobia: Respect Gender Identity. UNISON has added its name to an international petition calling on the UN, World Health Organisation and individual states to refuse transphobia and allow people to live fully and freely in their preferred gender. More on IDAHO at http://www.idaho.org.uk
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Bi member? Trans member? Black LGBT member? Disabled LGBT member?
Sign up now for UNISONÕs national network meetings for bi and trans members and for black LGBT and disabled LGBT members. Get involved, network, find out whatÕs going on, have your say. All meetings are in London; dates are 10 July for bi and trans members; 11 September for black LGBT members; and 12 September for disabled LGBT members. More information from out@unison.co.uk or http://www.unison.org.uk/out/pages_view.asp?did=8639
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DorothyÕs list reaches campaign target
'Dorothy's List', a campaign fund to support LGBT Labour parliamentary candidates, has met its general election target of £2,000 - in the same week that Labour Party General Secretary Ray Collins addressed the 'Speaker's Conference' on improving diversity, including LGBT representation, in the House of Commons. More at:
http://lgbtlabour.org.uk/2000target
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Help the FA tackle biphobia and homophobia
The Football Association is taking steps to crack down on gender discrimination and homophobia in the sport. They have recruited two researchers to find out more about the football experience of people from LGB communities, and in particular the experiences of lesbian coaches and bi athletes. To help with the research or find out more go to:
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/WhatWeDo/Equality/Homophobia/NewsAndFeatures/2009/tackling_discrim_homophobia_220409.aspx
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