Conservative ministers picking on the LGBT+ community is nothing more than a divisive attempt to win votes and won’t succeed in deflecting attention from the government’s appalling record on human rights, says UNISON today (Saturday).
Speaking at the union’s annual LGBT+ conference in Liverpool, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea will say: “Watching Conservative politicians pick on marginalised communities and stir up hatred at their annual conference this autumn was a desperate attempt to get a bounce in the polls.
“Nothing ministers say can deflect from their dereliction of their duty to protect UK citizens from harm. They won’t ban conversion therapy but, playing to the gallery, they say they’ll kick transgender women out of NHS wards and woke ideology out of science.
“The clue is in the name. Conservative means no progress, no change. Conserve the past and reject the future.
“Over the past five decades UNISON has built a thriving LGBT+ union community with hundreds of active members making a difference in workplaces across the UK.
“Next year is to be UNISON’s year of LGBT+ workers. The union would like to see more LGBT+ employees getting involved in its work and making their voices heard across every part of the organisation. That means more LGBT+ branch officers, more trans ally training, a bigger young LGBT+ member network and more inclusive workplaces.
“This work should never be underestimated, especially in this incredibly toxic time. The coming year is an opportunity to build on that fantastic work and reaffirm the union’s commitment to respecting, protecting and enhancing LGBT+ rights.”
Notes to editors:here. – UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
– The UNISON LGBT+ Conference 2023 runs from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 November 2023 in Liverpool. More details are availableMedia contact:press@unison.co.uk
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