| LGBT Newsletter - February 2008 |
LGBT e-bulletin delayed by snow
Despite the joys of electronic communication, parts of the process still require people to be in particular places! This month's e-bulletin got caught in a snow drift. Apologies for the delay.
|
LGBT history month
February is LGBT history month, which marks the lives and achievements of LGBT people and raises awareness about how we can all combat prejudice and discrimination. Download the UNISON poster from A8178 (LGBT history month poster 09).pdf or order copies from out@unison.co.uk, giving quantities and delivery address. Details of events flagged by UNISON activists are at A8178 (LGBT History Month events 09).doc. Visit the LGBT history month site for more information http://www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/
|
Build the campaign against the BNP
Hope Not Hate are making their campaign against the BNP flexible and local. There are a range of new grassroots tools, but they need as many people involved as possible if they are to work. Check out the new website http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/ and invite people to join their supporter group http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/invite
|
Schools Out conference - 7 February, London
This year's Schools OUT annual conference is an informative and participatory event to explore and discuss LGBT issues in education, youth work and what the children's charities are doing for LGBT youth. Register at http://www.schools-out.org.uk
|
Unite Against Fascism national conference - 21 February, London
Speakers and practical workshops. Request a registration form on 0207 833 4916 or unite@ucu.org.uk . More at http://www.uaf.org.uk
|
Greater London LGBT organising and training day - 26 February, London
This day is aimed at all activists in the region - branch officers, equality reps, LGBT members and other activists interested in LGBT equalities. More at http://www.unison.org.uk/out/pages_view.asp?did=8076
|
Experiences of LGBT staff and students in HE conference - 4 March, London
Equality Challenge Unit conference to launch the findings of research into the experiences of LGBT staff and students in higher education, including action to be taken. Details at http://www.ecu.ac.uk/events/experiences-of-lgbt
|
New UNISON guide on harassment at work
Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect at work. Harassment of any kind prevents this happening. This guide assists branches negotiate policies which prevent, tackle and deal with workplace harassment. Order via your branch from UNISON communications, stock number 1359, or help yourself from http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/17763.pdf
|
NHS employers urge caution on LGBT monitoring
NHS Employers have published a new briefing on equality and diversity monitoring. It flags legal duties and says employers should consider sexual orientation monitoring, while urging caution in this sensitive area. It says it is not appropriate for an organisation which has not previously engaged with LGB staff or developed initiatives to eradicate homophobia from the workplace. It quotes Press for Change advice on trans monitoring - that it is never appropriate in recruitment and there must be absolute guarantees of anonymity if used amongst existing staff. The briefing is at http://www.nhsemployers.org/excellence/excellence-4577.cfm
|
Trans bullying in schools - stories sought
Work is well underway on new Government guidance for schools on tackling transphobic bullying and other gender-based bullying. We are looking for people's experiences to bring the guidance alive. If you or your children have experienced bullying based on gender identity (their own or another family member's) please email out@unison.co.uk. All stories will be brief and anonymous.
|
LGBT Youth Scotland publish homophobic bullying toolkit
Resources to give school staff the confidence and skills to recognise, prevent and deal with homophobia and homophobic bullying. See http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/d/genericresource_tcm4512285.asp
|
LGPS and surviving partner pensions
LGPS regulations currently allow unmarried partners' and civil partners' pensions to be backdated to April 1988. It is proposed to allow members with civil partners and unmarried partners to pay additional contributions to backdate cover before April 1988. Local government branch views are being sought. UNISON is looking at the implications of recent cases and legislation to see how the proposals can be strengthened to remove the disparity of treatment between married partners and civil and unmarried partners. More in the latest LGPS briefing http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B4409.pdf
|
Removing the barriers to involvement in local politics
A series of Government Equality Office events, particularly focussing on removing barriers and involving greater numbers of black women. Scotland on 13 February, Gloucester on 19 February, Chester on 12 March, North East on 20 March, Leicester on 17 April. Register at www.livegroup.co.uk/BAME . More at www.equalities.gov.uk
|
Job opportunity - ILGA-Europe Policy & Programmes Officer
The post holder will be responsible for providing policy, lobbying and capacity building services to support ILGA-Europe's advocacy of LGBT rights at the European level. In particular the post holder will work with our member organisations to implement and influence European level policies in the areas of justice and civil liberties (homophobic and transphobic violence, working with the police, asylum policies).
More at http://www.ilga-europe.org/Europe/About-us/Job-opportunity/Policy-Programmes-Officer
|
New TUC advice for workers facing redundancy
Comprehensive package of advice for workers who have been made redundant, or are at risk of redundancy or of losing their homes due to the economic downturn. More at http://www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/tuc-15741-f0.cfm
|
LGB women and pregnancy loss: online survey
Dr Liz Peel of Aston University is seeking participants for an online questionnaire study exploring LGB women's experiences of pregnancy loss - miscarriage, chemical pregnancy loss, stillbirth and neonatal death. The survey has ethical approval from Aston University's School of Life & Health Sciences Ethics Committee and follows British Psychological Society Ethical Guidelines. Birth (biological) and social (non-biological) mothers are invited to complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xklQNLLe8sXfdteY6HiJrg_3d_3d
|
