Opposing LGBT Hate Crimes

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Conference
2009 National LGBT Conference
Date
9 November 2009
Decision
Carried

Conference is appalled at the vicious attack against a young man in Liverpool on 25th October 2009. Conference notes the incident was treated by the police as a homophobic attack.

Conference reaffirms its support for all victims of hate crimes as well as their families. Hate crimes in general, and homophobic/biphobic/transphobic hate crime in particular, have no place in the modern world. While applauding all efforts to tackle these crimes, Conference expresses its deep concern that unprovoked attacks of this sort continue to happen.

Therefore Conference urges the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee to work within all appropriate structures including the National Executive Council, all applicable Service Groups, and Regional LGBT Groups in order to:

1.Press for crimes against LGBT people to remain central to any relevant UNISON initiatives and campaigns on the topic of Hate Crime;

2.Use all appropriate means of communication including Out In UNISON to promote and raise awareness of the need for timely reporting of such crimes;

3.Reinforce the message that LGBT-related hate crime is unacceptable and will not be tolerated either in or beyond the workplace.