- Conference
- 2022 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 27 July 2022
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes it has been 3 years since UNISON’s lesbian, gay, bisexual (Bi) and transgender (trans) (LGBT) self-organised group achieved a rule change to include the “+” to become the LGBT+ self-organised group. The purpose of the rule change was to ensure we are inclusive of all identities from within our community and to reflect the broader spectrum that is our membership. The rule change was widely well received and, for many in our community, not before time. The campaign to add the ‘+’ achieved a strong momentum and there was a passion within the membership to continue to drive this momentum forward in recruitment, retention, and campaigns especially in increasing the numbers in our caucuses.
Conference, sadly many of our members feel this momentum has waned, understandably possibly amidst the many challenges we face work in the workplace, but complacency has set in.
However, for those of us who identify as something other than simply lesbian, gay, bi or trans, our pansexual and omnisexual, our asexual and aromantic members for example, we are still trying to be heard and fighting for a seat at the table. We must ensure that adding the ‘+’ is not reduced to a simple vanity exercise but has real meaning for our community.
There are many members, real people living real lives, who identify under the ‘+’ in our name. The list is long and varied and all of us must ensure we amplify their voices, hear their stories and stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
Therefore, conference calls on the national LGBT+ committee to work with regions and branches to:
1)Work with the bi+ network to highlight the + at every opportunity;
2)Continue with the campaign to educate the wider membership of LGBT+ identities;
3)Seek out and actively engage with those members who identify as + and amplify their voices. Address the issues that directly affect them and seek to ensure there are no barriers, real or perceived to participation in our self-organised group;
4)Update where appropriate the bi+ allies factsheet and promote the resource to regions and branches as a recruitment tool to increase bi+ membership and visibility throughout the union.