- Conference
- 2025 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 15 May 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference recognises that the recent UK Supreme Court ruling [For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent)] concerning the legal definition of sex has caused significant concern across the LGBT+ structures of UNISON, particularly among Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse members. The judgment has been interpreted by some as undermining the rights and protections of trans people, especially in relation to access to single-sex services and spaces. This has led to increased and often hostile public discourse, misrepresenting the lived realities of trans people and potentially threatening the safety and dignity of all members.
Conference recognises that though interim guidance has been issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, some employers, including those within our branch, have already amended local policy which goes beyond the scope of this interim guidance, further threatening the safety and dignity of employees.
Conference acknowledges that it has been the long term policy of UNISON to advocate for Trans Equality. Part of this commitment has been that Trans rights are human rights and affirming that Trans women are women, Trans men are men, and Non-Binary people’s identities are valid.
UNISON has a proud and clear policy of supporting Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse members and opposing all forms of transphobia. Now more than ever, UNISON needs to stand up in advocating for Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse equality.
Conference resolves to ask the National Executive Council to:
1)Work to ensure that the unequivocal position that all Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse people deserve full equality, dignity, and respect is upheld;
2)Ensure that all relevant constituent parts of UNISON continue to be safe and inclusive spaces for Trans, Non-binary and Gender-Diverse members;
3)Develop and implement a strategy to lobby the Labour Government to ensure that UK law protects Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse people;
4)Work with the self-organised groups, service groups, regions, branches and wider trade union movement to actively counter transphobia in the workplace and society.