- Conference
- 2008 National LGBT Conference
- Date
- 7 September 2008
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that whilst an Employment Tribunal ruling does not set legal precedent, widespread publicity for the judgement in the case of Ms Ladele v London Borough of Islington (2203694/2007 July 2008) added to the false impression that local government workers can claim their religion or belief as a reason for discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) service users, and furthermore that local government employers may feel unable to challenge such behaviour.
Conference believes that freedoms sometimes have to be subject to limitations “for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others”. Human rights work in a framework where there is a balance of rights for individuals, for different groups and for society as a whole.
Conference reiterates its belief that there is a need to increase awareness that the Religion or Belief Employment Regulations do not provide a justification for homophobic, biphobic or transphobic conduct in the workplace or in the delivery of local government services.
Conference therefore instructs the Local Government Service Group Executive to:
1.Continue to work with sector committees and regional local government committees to promote awareness of employers’ responsibilities to promote LGBT equality and combat prejudice and discrimination;
2.Work with regions and local government branches to encourage instances of discrimination to be identified and challenged.