- Conference
- 2022 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 27 July 2022
- Decision
- Carried
This Conference is deeply concerned by the steep rise in LGBT+ hate crime in
Scotland since lockdown restrictions were eased at the beginning of last summer.
The rise in homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes is not restricted to
Scotland but has been replicated across the rest of the United Kingdom (UK). Hatred and abuse of
LGBT+ people is of urgent, global concern.
Conference notes that crimes related to sexual orientation and gender identity have
increased almost every year since at least 2015 according to Government data from
England, Wales and Scotland, and recognises that real hate crime figures are likely
to be much higher due to under-reporting. This is a stark reminder that LGBT+
equality is far from a lived reality for LGBT+ people and communities in Scotland
and across the UK. It illustrates that we are still at risk of abuse and attack for no
other reason than for being who we are.
Pre-pandemic bullying, misgendering, harassment and violence in the workplace is
a daily reality for far too many LGBT+ workers, leading to a significant minority
concealing their identity from people they work with.
The Coronavirus crisis has further entrenched inequality
– what once were safe spaces have become increasingly unsafe.
Conference welcomes the continued work of unison to promote LGBT+ equality,
defend and progress rights at work and raise awareness of what hate crime is and
how to report it.
Conference calls on the UNISON national LGBT+ committee to
engage with relevant parts of unison to support:
1. Raise awareness to activists to the possibility of homophobic, trans phobic and biphobic abuse and discrimination in their workplaces;
2. By working to ensure that guidance “tackling hate crime and hate incidents: a workplace issue” is up to date and promoted amongst activists;
3. Seek to ensure that UNISON’s activist training includes information and tools to help activists to effectively challenge hate crime and abuse in the workplace;
4. Promote LGBT+ equality and tackle discrimination in their campaigning, bargaining, and training work.