- Conference
- Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual & Transgender Conference 2005
- Date
- 29 July 2005
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that the Government is reviewing the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act [HFEA] and that the general public has been invited to respond to a consultation which ends on the 25th November 2005.
Conference notes that our families are being recognised under the auspices of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 [CPA] but is dismayed that discrimination still exists in respect of access to IVF.
Conference is disappointed that media reports stated that the Public Health Minister inferred that IVF treatment funded by the National Health Service would not be made available to single women and lesbians. The consultation document supports this by reiterating that the general view of the Government is that it is better for a child to have a father and a mother.
Conference is further concerned over other controversial issues in the consultation including the question as to whether sex selection should be banned or allowed for family balancing thus raising issues of gender discrimination.
Whilst Conference agrees that the welfare of a (future) child is of paramount importance, Conference is concerned that medical authorities have the power to consider commitment to parenting, age, health and ability to provide for a child when determining the suitability of potential parents. Not only will this be a subjective finding but there is the potential to discriminate against disabled people on health grounds and people who are in receipt of a low income who may not be considered to have the ability to provide for a child. Conference notes that disabled and black members are more likely to be low paid.
Conference therefore instructs the National LGBT Committee to enter into discussions with the National Women’s Committee, National Black Members Committee and National Disabled Members Committee with a view to forming recommendations to the NEC to be used in any future opportunity to discuss the issue of access to fertility treatment both within UNISON and with external bodies.