- Conference
- 2018 National LGBT Conference
- Date
- 27 July 2018
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that as part of Northern Region’s commitment to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) organising, recruitment and activism, on the 17th of May 2018 Northern Region was lit up with the colours of the Rainbow to commemorate IDAHOBIT (The International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia).
This wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the great and close relationships the Region has with local Councillors, Members of Parliament, Local Authorities and various organisations within the Region. Also through relationships that have been built through the activity of UNISON Branches, stewards, activists and the regional staff.
To ensure that IDAHOBIT and other LGBT related events such as LGBT History Month, Bisexual Visibility Day and Transgender Day of Visibility have become regional LGBT priorities we have done the following:
1)The Region encouraged every Branch to hold stalls during the week of IDAHOBIT as well as LGBT History Month, Bisexual Visibility Day and Transgender Day of Visibility so that it could do more targeted recruitment and organising on a more local level in Branches/workplaces.
2)During IDAHOBIT various Local Authorities and organisations were contacted to get specific places lit up in rainbow colours. Locations were photographed and promoted via social media and the regional website.
3)Branches and stewards shared newsletters and quizzes designed by LGBT Officers/Stewards that could be localised for individual Branch use and promoted the use of the UNISON organising space to share best practice among our regional activists.
4)Local Authorities, police stations and hospitals have also been supplied with rainbow flags to encourage them to fly them on the specific days.
As more emphasis is being placed on equality, specifically LGBT Equality we, as a union, can use these joint ventures and regional collaborative working between Branches and Stewards to raise awareness, increase recruitment and improve the lives of our members.
Conference therefore calls on the National LGBT Committee to:
A)Encourage Branches to hold stalls during events such as IDAHOBIT, LGBT History Month, Bisexual Visibility Day and Transgender Day of Visibility.
B. Create resource packs specific for events such as IDAHOBIT, LGBT History Month, Bisexual Visibility Day and Transgender Day of Visibility with an option of localised sections where Branches can update members on local activity so that Branches and Officers would be better equipped to organise and recruit in their workplaces.
C. Promote the use of the UNISON organising space and through this, the sharing of best practice amongst Branches and LGBT Officers.
D. Encourage Regions to support Branches and promote LGBT visibility during events such as DAHOBIT, LGBT History Month, Bisexual Visibility Day and Transgender Day of Visibility.
Northern Region LGBT SOG