- Conference
- 2004 National Lesbian & Gay Conference
- Date
- 30 July 2004
- Decision
- Carried
This Conference welcomes the unanimous adoption by TUC Congress 2003 of a motion that condemned “the intensifying and hostile attempts by the United States to undermine the self-determination and economic position of Cuba”
Conference recognises that threats against Cuba are continuing, and that senior US politicians continue to call on President Bush to take military action against Cuba.
Conference therefore endorses the call for the UK government to expressly declare that it will give no support to any US military actions against Cuba, and welcomes the opposition to any US military intervention expressed by currently over 170 MPs.
Conference recognises the importance of continuing trade union solidarity with the Cuban people. It welcomes the call in the TUC motion for unions to “affiliate to, and support, bona-fide trade union supported campaigns and humanitarian aid organisations such as the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and Salud International”, and UNISON’s extensive involvement, at national, regional and branch level, in such campaigns and in work with sister unions in Cuba.
Conference believes that LGBT issues should be in an integral part of the union’s work on Cuba, in line with UNISON policy, and recognises the importance of this being based on accurate information.
It therefore welcomes recent initiatives by several LGBT organisations – including ILGA and the national Italian organisations ARCI and Arcigay – to develop links and solidarity work with LGBT people in Cuba.
Conference notes that a delegation from Arcigay, which included the Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe, visited Cuba earlier this year and has reported that there have been significant improvements in the legal and social situation for LGBT people, and a number of recent positive developments, including:
1.There are no discriminatory laws, and same sex acts are lawful;
2.Although there is no recognition of same sex couples, individuals can be recognised in some circumstances as being part of a de facto family;
3.There has been in the past year the first operation for gender reassignment, and it is possible for trans people to have their documents changed before gender reassignment takes place;
4.That there are several projects being developed which involve LGBT people, including ones related to sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Conference notes, however, that the delegation also reported that while there are indications of changing attitudes within society and the government, there is still widespread ‘social homophobia’ and a particular need to support LGBT people to establish groups and organisations.
Conference therefore resolves:
A.That the NLGC should work in cooperation with organisations such as ILGA and Arcigay to establish an accurate picture of the situation on LGBT issues in Cuba;
B.That the NLGC should work with the NEC International Committee and International Department to provide information and develop guidance on raising LGBT issues as an integral part of the union’s work on Cuba;
C.To call on regional and branch groups to become involved in such work at branch and regional level.