UNISON fights discrimination and prejudice in the workplace on behalf of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) members. We work together in local and national groups of LGBT+ members to campaign and provide support for our members.

Key issues
This section is about the key issues affecting LGBT+ members. Each key issue explains the facts behind the issue, what UNISON is doing and how you can get involved. You will also find news articles, useful resources and events.

Organising
LGBT+ members meet as a self-organised group at branch, regional and national level. Find out what the different groups do and how they are organised.

LGBT+ Historical Highlights
To celebrate LGBT+ History Month UNISON has looked back on its own LGBT+ history.
Get in touch
List of regional contacts. Members can contact their LGBT+ members’ representative in UNISON branches to discuss any issues that might arise in their workplace.
Resources
-
LGBT+ calendar 2024
10 January 2025
noneUpdated December 2024
-
Model policy to support workers living with HIV
4 December 2024
noneDeveloped by UNISON Greater London with the Bargaining Support Unit, and in partnership with the National AIDS Trust, this model workplace policy aims to help support workers living with HIV.
-
2024 National LGBT+ Conference – Record of Decisions
28 November 2024
noneRecord of decisions from UNISON’s 2024 LGBT+ Conference
-
2024 ace – aro factsheet
12 September 2024
none -
LetMeStand Rule change factsheet
2 May 2024
noneEverything you need to know about the proposed change to rule D.2.2.1 at UNISON’s National Delegate Conference
-
Becoming a UNISON Branch LGBT+ Officer
25 April 2024
noneFind out more about how to become a UNISON Branch LGBT+ officer.
-
How to get to LGBT+ conference 2024
13 March 2024
noneInformation on how to get to LGBT+ conference 2024. Includes information on who can attend, how to get yourself registered etc.
-
LGBT+ issues on the international stage
16 February 2024
noneFact sheet. Why and how UNISON works internationally. This fact sheet outlines UNISON’s national LGBT+ committee’s international work.
-
Workforce monitoring for sexual orientation and gender identity
16 February 2024
none -
Transgender workers rights
16 February 2024
noneFactsheet. Transgender workers rights. (update December 2023)
-
Gender equality – non-binary inclusion factsheet
16 February 2024
noneFactsheet. Our society has traditionally made restrictive binary (either/or) assumptions and expectations about gender. This factsheet explains how to challenge those assumptions in a practical way.
-
UNISON model trans equality policy
16 February 2024
noneModel trans policy to help branches negotiate workplace a trans equality policy
-
LGB+-workers-rights
16 February 2024
noneLesbian, gay and bisexual+ workers rights factsheet (updated December 2023)
-
UNISON-LGBTplus-history
18 January 2024
noneOur Proud History. UNISON LGBT+ history slideshow for LGBT+ history month (February).
-
LGBT+ checklist
18 January 2024
noneA checklist to help UNISON branches check that their workplace policies are LGBT+ inclusive
-
2023 National LGBT+ Conference Decisions
15 December 2023
none -
Bisexuality-a-trade-union-issue 19
23 September 2023
noneFactsheet. Bisexuality a trade union issue. Guidance on supporting bisexual staff at work.
-
Out in UNISON 74
19 July 2023
none -
International LGBT+ work PPT
27 April 2023
nonea presentation that can be used by individuals and branches to explain why international solidarity is so important to UNISON’s national LGBT+ committee
-
Intersectionality Factsheet
27 April 2023
noneEach and every one of us experiences the world in a different way and these lived-experiences are determined by the different aspects of our identities. This factsheet explains how this can impact different people.
-
UNISON-Equality-Resources-May 2023
27 April 2023
noneGuide with links to the latest campaigning, recruiting, negotiating and bargaining information
-
Year of Black Workers LGBT+ History Month Quiz Final
2 March 2023
noneAs LGBT+ History Month starts, and in UNISON’s year of Black Workers, our Black Workers LGBT+ History month quiz provides a ready made activity for a branch, region or any other LGBT+ history month event.
-
Reform-of-the-Gender-Recognition-Act-factsheet-Updated-Jan-2023
18 January 2023
noneFactsheet updated in January 2023 following the passing of the Scottish Gender Recognition Act and the UK Government’s opposition to this. This factsheet outlines why reform is needed and includes myth-busters and guidance on what constituency Labour Parties can do to support reform.
-
Pay Gaps Bargaining Guide 2022
12 January 2023
noneQuick Guide to Bargaining on Pay Inequality
Pay Gaps: What they are and what your branch can do about them -
2022 National LGBT+ Conference Decisions Booklet 2022
15 December 2022
none -
Out in UNISON 72
3 August 2022
none -
Why Pronouns are important – factsheet
14 July 2022
noneRespecting people’s pronouns is the vital first step in creating an inclusive environment. Factsheet explaining gender neutral pronouns.
-
LGBT+ Poster
2 February 2022
noneLGBT+ A4 poster. Available as PDF download only.
-
2021 National LGBT+ Conference_Decisions_Booklet_
17 December 2021
noneBooklet of motions carried at conference.
-
2020 – 21 LGBT+ annual report appendices
30 October 2021
none2020-2021 National LGBT+ Committee Annual Report appendices
-
Out in Unison 70
10 June 2021
none -
Pride In Procurement
16 November 2020
noneAn activist guide to sourcing Pride merchandise
-
Digital Organising for LGBT+ Equality Guide – 2020
13 November 2020
noneA 16 page illustrated guide to digital organising for LGBT+ equality
-
Out_in_Unison_69_Winter 2020/21
13 November 2020
noneInformative newsletter aimed at LGBT+ workers and UNISON members
-
Putting politics back into Pride
12 November 2020
noneA UNISON practical guide to recruiting and organising with Pride
-
Bi Visibility Day 23 September Poster
3 September 2020
noneBi Visibility Day – 23 September
Poster
PDF only -
Bi_visibility_POSTER
17 August 2020
nonePoster to celebrate Bi visibility day 23 September
-
2019 LGBT+ committee annual report
5 March 2020
noneLGBT+ Annual Report 2019
-
It’s just good care
26 February 2020
noneIt’s just good care – A guide for health staff caring for people who are trans
-
How to be a good ally to Bi+ people at work
28 January 2020
noneA practical guide to supporting Bi+ people in the workplace.
-
Workforce-monitoring-for-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-2019
20 January 2020
noneFactsheet. Branch guidance on employer workforce monitoring for sexual orientation and gender identity. 2019
-
LGBT+ workers-abroad 19
20 January 2020
noneFactsheet. Negotiating to protect LGBT+ members working abroad. 2019
-
Setting up a branch LGBT+ Group – Nov 19
17 January 2020
noneFactsheet. Setting up a UNISON branch LGBT+ group. 2019
-
how to get involved – 2020
17 January 2020
noneFactsheet. LGBT+ members how to get involved with UNISON LGBT+ groups and campaigns. 2019
-
LGBT – retired member
17 January 2020
noneFactsheet. LGBT+ retiring or retired members. How to stay involved in UNISON.
-
2019 – LGBT+ branded materials
17 January 2020
noneUNISON LGBT+ rainbow promotional materials
-
2019 National LGBT+ Conference Decisions Booklet
18 December 2019
noneRecord of resolutions carried at the 2019 LGBT+ conference
-
Out in UNISON 68 – Winter 2019/20
31 October 2019
noneInformative A4 12-page newsletter. Aimed at LGBT+ workers and UNISON members.
-
Pride in our work. LGBT card
17 October 2019
noneLGBT card with key UNISON contact info. Handy credit card size.
-
LGBT+ Pride in our public services – leaflet
17 October 2019
noneAn A5 recruitment leaflet aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender plus (LGBT+) people, outlining the benefits of being in a union.
-
Bi Visibility Day poster
24 September 2018
none -
Reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004: Briefing pack
11 April 2018
noneThe Gender Recognition Act (GRA) 2004 enables transgender people to change the sex / gender on their birth certifucates. This briefing explains why UNISON supports calls for the GRA to be reformed.
-
How to be a good ally to trans people at work – leaflet
12 March 2018
noneA practical guide to supporting trans people in the workplace
-
2017 UNISON LGBT recruitment toolkit
1 December 2017
none -
2017 LGBT conference – record of decisions
1 December 2017
none -
Tackling hate crime and hate incidents: a workplace issue
28 November 2017
none -
Fighting for fairness and equality – Leaflet
4 August 2017
noneA leaflet outlining UNISON’s commitment to achieving equality in our workplaces, in our union and across society.
-
Harassment at Work
9 December 2016
noneAn A4 guide for branches on how to deal with harassment and bullying at work. It includes a model ‘dignity at work’ policy.
-
Implications of reductions to public spending on LGB and T people and services
22 November 2016
none -
LGBT vision
8 November 2016
noneOur vision for LGBT equality
-
Pride organising guide
12 November 2015
noneThis guide has been developed following the North West Regional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Groups motion to National LGBT Conference in 2014 which called upon Regional and Branch LGBT groups to put politics back into Pride.
-
Out in UNISON 59 Summer 2016
9 June 2015
noneInformative A4 12-page newsletter. Aimed at LGBT workers and UNISON members.
-
Model statement: sexual orientation and gender identity
7 August 2014
noneA model statement between employers and trade union on their commitment to an environment where the sexual orientation and gender identity is respected and where all are afforded dignity and equal rights
-
Organising for equality. UNISON guidelines
19 May 2014
noneBooklet for branch activists and members explaining UNISON’s policy on self organisation, including guidelines on branch and regional support and resources.
-
UNISON for equality and against homophobia
11 November 2013
noneUNISON – For equality and against homophobia. A3 pdfs to download and use in local publicity e.g. at sports fixtures
-
UNISON for equality against transphobia
11 November 2013
noneUNISON – For equality and against transphobia. A3 pdfs to download and use in local publicity e.g. at sports fixtures.
-
UNISON for equality and against biphobia
11 November 2013
noneUNISON – For equality and against biphobia. A3 pdfs to download and use in local publicity e.g. at sports fixtures.
-
A guide to equality in UNISON
13 June 2013
noneUNISON’s equalities agenda: how UNISON works to build equality into everything we do