- Conference
- 2024 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 12 October 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference recalls the “trans equality – louder and prouder” motion that was adopted by the 2022 women’s conference, which acknowledged the toxic debate ignited by the United Kingdom (UK) government’s consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) and recognised the need for our union, including the national women’s committee, to become more visible and more vocal – louder and prouder – in supporting and promoting trans equality.
However, trans women have continued to be a target of serious abuse by the right-wing media, certain Christian groups, and elements from within UK politics. And it’s having a devastating impact as seen in the most recent hate crime statistics in England and Wales, which reported that transgender hate crime rose 56% in the period of 2021/22 compared with the previous year.
In response to this, the national LGBT+ committee has worked with UNISON College to create the successful trans ally training across our union. This helps members to better understand the issues our trans, non-binary and gender diverse members face and how to be allies to them. We are proud of how many members have taken part in this programme and how many trans, non-binary and gender diverse members have become activists because of this work. It also shows that by equipping members with knowledge and empathy, we can facilitate more welcoming and supportive workplaces.
Tackling systemic and ingrained discrimination against all women takes time. Therefore, it’s imperative that UNISON remains committed and vocal in support of reform to the GRA, including self-identification through the legal process of statutory declaration. Equally, we remain committed to continuing our support for our trans, non-binary and gender diverse members.
Conference is unequivocal in its solidarity with trans women and believes that:
• Trans women are women and present no risk or threat to single sex spaces.
• Feminism and allyship with trans women go hand in hand.
Conference calls upon the National Women’s Committee to work with the National LGBT+ Committee to:
1)Produce a statement of support and solidarity to our trans siblings and our non-binary and gender diverse comrades,
2)Continue working to increase the strength and visibility of UNISON’s work to promote trans equality among women members,
3)Encourage women members to undertake the trans ally training,
4)Promote UNISON materials, such as the factsheet on reform of the Gender Reform Act, to help branches and members to counter the myths and disinformation being spread by those campaigning to roll back the existing rights of trans people.