The Bigots Are Still Out There

Conference notes that since the 27 July, and the deadline for submitting Motions for this Conference, there has been a number of statements and announcements internationally that affect the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. 1)The statements from the newly elected President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, against the Brazilian LGBT population. 2. The announcement […]

Unfair Treatment of Black LGBTQI+ Asylum Seekers

UNISON welcomes the report from the UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) Still Falling Short, which highlights the unfair and degrading treatment of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex plus (LGBTQI+) asylum seekers. UKLGIG supports LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration process. Their work includes: • Providing emotional support and immigration advice; […]

Black members and the proposed name change to LGBT+

Conference notes that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) self-organised group (SOG) works with inclusive, umbrella definitions of bisexual and transgender. Its bi network is for all members who feel attraction to more than one gender. Its trans network is for all types of self-identifying trans people and for members whose gender identity does […]

Implement the United Nations Recommendations Now

Conference notes with concern that Disabled Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) people are being disenfranchised at the hands of the Tory Government and our human rights and independence are seriously under threat. Disabled LGBT people are facing cuts to benefits, rises in unemployment, disability pay gap, no protection against dual discrimination, reductions in the provision […]

Making our Union Non-binary and Disability inclusive

Conference notes that a growing number of our members, some of whom are disabled members, define as non-binary. For UNISON non-binary disabled members, the existing structures and practices within the union may not acknowledge their identity and may create a feeling of exclusion from the union at all levels, including within disabled members self-organisation as […]

Towards a more inclusive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) self-organised group

Conference notes that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) self-organised group (SOG) has always sought to be fully representative of its diverse membership, in line with UNISON’s rules. It notes that the LGBT SOG works with inclusive, umbrella definitions of bisexual and transgender. Its bi network is for all members who feel attraction to […]

Amendment to UNISON rule B2.3 & D5.1.4

Rule B Aims and Objectives B 2.3 Delete “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members” and insert “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus (LGBT+) members” Rule D Structure of the union at national level D 5.1.4 Delete “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members” and insert “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus (LGBT+) members”

DECRIMINALISATION FOR SAFETY

Conference notes that UNISON’s policy on sex work, adopted in 2010 on the basis of a motion from women’s conference, is to support proposals which decriminalise the selling of sex acts while introducing a ‘sex buyers law’ criminalising those who purchase sex acts. Conference recognises that the great majority of sex workers are women. Conference […]

National Self-Organised Group Conferences – Representatives of Relevant Retired Members

Conference notes that, since Rule D7.8 was amended in 2014, the National Retired Members’ Organisation has sent two representatives of relevant retired members to each National Self-Organised Group (SOG) Conference. It further notes that the Retired Members’ National Committee (RMNC) has chosen these representatives, in effect substituting itself for the relevant members, but Conference thinks […]

Pride in Procurement

Conference notes the recent increase in the number of companies selling ‘Pride’ related fashion and merchandise either in partnership with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organisations or on the premise that a percentage of their sales will be donated to LGBT organisations. Examples include Primark, which teamed up with Stonewall, and H&M, which donated […]

Cross branch working in increasingly diverse workplace environments

Conference cautiously welcomes developments and new ways of working that help to address service user and community needs negatively impacted by savage Tory central government cuts. For instance, Adult Social Care and Health Professional services are increasingly working together to provide enhanced clinical and social care rehabilitation pathways, helping people who require short periods of […]

Recruiting and increasing the activism of Young and Retired members

With an average members age being 56 UNISON is a middle-aged union. Conference recognises that two key areas of under representation within UNISON’s membership categories are retired and young Members. This is also evident within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Self Organised Group (SOG). The 2017 Retired Members Conference reported that; “UNISON has […]

Recruitment and Organising and Activism, Pride in our Work

Conference notes that as part of Northern Region’s commitment to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) organising, recruitment and activism, on the 17th of May 2018 Northern Region was lit up with the colours of the Rainbow to commemorate IDAHOBIT (The International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia). This wouldn’t have been possible had it […]

Raising Bi Visibility and supporting Bi Pride

Conference can celebrate how far we’ve come as a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, but sometimes in the bi community it can feel as if we’re slipping into obscurity again, and again. Conference recognises that coming out can be wonderful, sometimes mundane, often traumatic. What would happen if you had to come out […]

Palestine

Conference condemns Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the US embassy to the city. On 14 May, as Israeli and US officials celebrated the embassy’s official opening, Israeli troops fired with live ammunition on unarmed Palestinians taking part in the Great Return March protests in Gaza, […]