- Conference
- 2025 National LGBT+ Conference
- Date
- 31 July 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes that the use of gender inclusive language is extremely important within our union, and that gender-exclusionary terms can make members in our trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities feel excluded and unwelcome.
Recent experience at National Delegate Conference shows that education in this area is still very much needed, with gender-exclusionary terms such as ‘Brothers and Sisters’ being used in speeches on the conference floor.
Conference celebrates the changes made at National Delegate Conference in 2023 and 2024 to update UNISON’s rule book to replace gendered language references, with inclusive terms such as ‘they’ and ‘their’.
Conference recognises that there are many other gender inclusive terms such as ‘Chair’, ‘Conference’, ‘Comrades’, ‘Siblings’ or ‘Delegates’ which do not risk excluding any members of conference. This enables us to maintain and enhance the living traditions of the trade union movement and practice solidarity while celebrating diversity, tolerance and inclusion.
Conference therefore calls on the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) Committee to:-
1)Work alongside the National Executive Council to promote the ‘Working Together’ guidelines on gender inclusive language at all levels of UNISON.
2)Continue the roll out of UNISON’s trans ally training which has been hugely successful across our union in helping members recognise the impact of their language on trans, non-binary or gender diverse colleagues.
3)Work with branches, regions and Unison College to promote gender inclusive language in communications, training and resources.