- Conference
- 2025 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 23 July 2025
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes the increasing visibility and normalisation of ideologies, which impact on the rights of LGBT+ including Disabled and Black LGBT+ people, which makes it important that we organise effectively and inclusively as a union. Disabled LGBT+ members face multiple and intersecting barriers to participation in union activities including at demonstrations, marches and Pride events, including inaccessibility, lack of neurodiverse friendly materials, and assumptions around language and communication needs.
Accessibility is not a luxury or an afterthought, it is a fundamental right and a prerequisite for inclusive organising and campaigning across the labour movement.
Conference believes our organising and campaigning must be fully accessible to all LGBT+ members, including those who are Disabled. Accessibility must be embedded in every aspect of our work, from the way we run meetings to the materials we produce, the officers we elect, the campaigns we run and the protests we join. Intersectionality must be central to our approach, recognising that members may face multiple forms of discrimination and exclusion.
Conference calls on the National LGBT+ Committee to work with the National Disabled Members Committee and others as required to:
1)Develop comprehensive guidance to on accessible and inclusive organising and campaigning in UNISON.
2)Consult with the other national self organised groups on the potential of a rule change to require that where Branches have LGBT+, Disabled and Black Members Officers as part of their Equality Officers posts, the post holder must self-identify as LGBT+, Black or disabled respectively, ensuring authentic representation.
3)Remind branches that in addition to the Equality Officer posts, the Code of Good Branch Practice states that Branches should consider having SOG representatives elected from branch self-organised groups.
4)Encourage regions to develop and support networks for Branch Equality Officers to share best practice, build solidarity, and access peer support.