Why there is nothing “natural” about the Daily Mail

Conference is appalled at the recent article in the Daily Mail surrounding the death of the Boyzone singer, Stephen Gately, where they imply that his death was due to him being gay. Columnist Jan Moir wrote: “Healthy and fit 33 year old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on […]

Public Services fail Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LBT) Women Victims of Domestic Abuse

Conference it is reported that domestic abuse (DA) costs the UK an estimated £2-3 billion pound a year this is through time off work, and the costs accrued by the criminal justice and health systems. Domestic abuse knows no boundaries of gender, culture, class, age, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or belief. However, women are most […]

Discrimination against people living with Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV)

Conference acknowledges the new campaign launched earlier this year by the Terence Higgins Trust with regards to the recruitment of people living with HIV. It records that this group are being discriminated against both during the application process and at interview. It is also noted that they are questioned about their medical history and in […]

English national bus pass for disabled people and over 60s

Conference welcomes the introduction of a national scheme for free bus travel for disabled people and the over 60s in England. Conference however notes that travel is only free between 9:30am and 11pm in some areas. Conference believes that 9.30am-11pm restriction is entirely unnecessary and has a major impact on – not to say “cramps […]

Palestine

Conference notes that UNISON has called for many years for peace with justice for the Palestinian people and that the resolution adopted by National Delegate Conference 2009 reiterated UNISON’s belief that a just solution must be based on international law, and that Israel must: 1.Withdraw to its 1967 borders; 2.Allow the refugees the right of […]

Gender neutral access to marriage and civil partnership

Conference recognises that civil partnerships provide almost equal rights to marriage under UK law. Conference also recognises that the historical connection of the institution of marriage with organised religion and with the oppression of women means many people welcome the existence of civil partnerships as an alternative legal process. Conference notes with concern that currently […]

Opposing LGBT Hate Crimes

Conference is appalled at the vicious attack against a young man in Liverpool on 25th October 2009. Conference notes the incident was treated by the police as a homophobic attack. Conference reaffirms its support for all victims of hate crimes as well as their families. Hate crimes in general, and homophobic/biphobic/transphobic hate crime in particular, […]

Tackling Hate Crime at Every Level

Conference deplores the recent spate of homophobic hate crimes, including the murder of Ian Baynham, kicked to death by teenagers in London’s Trafalgar Square on 25 September, and the life threatening attack on James Parkes, set on by up to 20 young people outside a gay bar in Liverpool on 25 October. Also in October, […]

Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Conference notes with concern the draft “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” introduced in the Ugandan Parliament on 14 October 2009. Uganda’s penal code, inherited from British colonial rule, already criminalises “carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature”. The police arbitrarily arrest people accused of consensual sex with someone of the same gender. There are documented […]

Palestine

Conference welcomes the adoption by 2009 TUC Congress of a motion proposed by the Fire Brigades Union and a statement from the General Council, condemning the Israeli offensive on Gaza and its continuing blockade on the territory, calling for a negotiated settlement based on international law and justice for the Palestinians, and committing to work […]

Defending the Human Rights Act

Conference is appalled that the Conservatives have stated their intention to repeal the Human Rights Act (HRA). It will come as no surprise that the same intention is included the BNP’s manifesto. Conference notes the important role that the HRA plays in organising, bargaining and negotiating on behalf of trade union members, for example: 1.Article […]

Recruiting Black and Disabled Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Members

Conference notes that UNISON’s LGBT membership is diverse and that our self organised group prides itself on being inclusive of all our members. Conference welcomes initiatives that have taken place to recruit more and Black and Disabled LGBT members including having a visible presence at UK Black Pride, distributing information on Beyond the Barriers campaign […]

Anti Racism and Anti Disabilism Training for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Members

Conference notes that there is a lack of understanding around language and terminology that impacts on awareness, accessibility and other issues facing our Black and Disabled LGBT members. Conference therefore instructs the National LGBT Committee to hold separate training sessions for members of the National Committee addressing these concerns. Conference also urges regional LGBT groups […]

Celebrating our History

Conference acknowledges the importance of knowing our history and notes the growth in the marking of Black history month and – to a lesser extent – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) history month in education institutions and community venues. While noting that such ‘months’ can help raise awareness where there is none, conference believes […]

Stop the Deportation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Asylum Seekers

Conferences notes: 1. A number of recent cases in which LGBT asylum seekers have been deported or threatened with deportation to countries, including Iran and Nigeria, where homosexuality is treated as a crime punishable by sentences including the death penalty or where trans people face persecution and violence; 2. That the British Government has argued […]