- Conference
- 2019 Police & Justice Service Group Conference
- Date
- 6 June 2019
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that increasing numbers of police forces sponsor or support their local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Plus (LGBT+) pride events, seeing them as opportunities to build confidence in the community, showcase their commitment to diversity and equality, and recruit new staff.
Conference believes that Pride events offer a similar opportunity to UNISON police and justice branches. Prides bring together large numbers of the local community in an atmosphere of celebration, where branch activists can talk to current members, including those not currently engaged with the branch, and recruit new members.
Pride events vary enormously in size and the extent to which they have become commercialised, with the smaller, more community based events usually offering the best opportunity for a high profile and effective UNISON presence.
Conference notes that many regional LGBT+ groups are willing and able to support branches in preparing for and attending Prides, but branch activists have the advantage of knowing about local issues and being able to connect members and potential members straight into their branch. Further, branches can access UNISON resources, including the UNISON Pride organising guide and LGBT+ recruitment materials, together with branded materials available from UNISON Plus partners.
Conference welcomes examples of where this is already working well, such as Wiltshire Police and Justice UNISON and Swindon Pride.
Conference calls on all police and justice branches to check what LGBT+ pride events take place in their area and:
1)Contact their regional LGBT+ group to find out about any plans for a UNISON presence;
2)If nothing is already planned, seek to organise a UNISON recruitment and information stall at the event;
3)Make use of UNISON LGBT+ resources available online and as stock items, including the Pride Organising Guide ‘Putting politics back into Pride’, and from UNISON Plus partners.