- Conference
- 2024 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 18 July 2024
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
The ongoing crisis in Palestine has brought significant hardship and suffering to its population. The crisis requires a comprehensive and inclusive response that addresses the needs of all vulnerable populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans plus (LGBT+) people. By working with our international comrades we hope that this can be achieved by fostering a more just and equitable society even in the face of adversity.
LGBT+ people in Palestine are at heightened risk due to societal stigma, legal challenges, and limited access to resources. The current crisis exacerbates these vulnerabilities, leading to increased instances of violence, discrimination, and marginalisation. There is a lack of specific legal protections for LGBT+ people in Palestine, making it difficult for them to seek justice and support when facing discrimination or violence. The broader humanitarian crisis in Palestine, with food shortages, lack of medical supplies, and no real safe housing, disproportionately affects marginalised communities, including LGBT+ people.
As part of the humanitarian effort we must work toward ensuring that the LGBT+ community in Palestine receive the increased support and protection they need during and after the current crisis in order that they can safely access the resources they need to recover from the trauma and help rebuild. We must also continue to criticise the Israeli government’s propaganda strategy of ‘pinkwashing’ which cynically exploits concern for LGBT+ rights to create a false image of tolerance and conceal its occupation over Palestinians. The strategy hides the fact that Israel’s regime of occupation does not spare LGBT+ Palestinians, who are specifically targeted by Israeli government agencies. As part of our ongoing struggle for LGBT+ rights in Palestine, it is imperative to continue our fight to end the Israeli occupation.
Conference calls on the national LGBT+ committee to:
1)Work with our national executive council international committee to continue to advocate for legal reforms to protect LGBT+ rights in Palestine. This includes decriminalising same-sex relationships and implementing anti-discrimination laws to safeguard against violence and bias.
2)Work with our national executive council international committee and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) to continue to challenge pinkwashing.
3)Continue to support the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Divest Campaign and promote UNISON and PSC resources to our members.
4)Continue to encourage LGBT+ members to support Palestinian rights.