OUR RIGHT TO BE HEARD

Conference is proud of our transparent and democratic structures. We note the way in which we organise is not always reflected in other areas of the union. Conference welcomes the opportunity to meet annually to determine LGBT policy, elect our delegates to represent us at National Delegate and Service Group Conferences and to select motions […]

Equalities the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Duty to Ensure Compliance ….. a Determined Approach

Conference, we deplore the unprecedented cuts in our vital public services and lament the shocking disregard for the compliance to the hard won advances in the Equalities agenda. Whilst the public sector duties apply primarily to public bodies they also have implications for private and voluntary sector organisations who deliver services on behalf of public […]

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

Conference notes the training on anti-racism held by the LGBT Committee at its policy weekend in March following resolutions carried by 2009 LGBT Conference. The training allowed us to recognise where we were doing well but also where we needed to improve in order for our group to become fully representative and inclusive. We recognised […]

Recruitment – a Fresh Approach

Conference recognises the importance that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Conference has previously placed on recruiting members. Regional groups have attended numerous pride events and are involved in LGBT History Month, International Day Against Homophobia / International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia (IDAHO/IDAHOBITS), Black Pride, BiCon and trans events. Conference celebrates our past work in this […]

PROTECTING SEX WORKERS AND TACKLING PROSTITUTION

Conference notes that this year’s National Delegate Conference carried motion 117 “Demand Change!”, submitted by National Women’s Conference. The resolution endorses the “Demand Change!” campaign by calling for the government to apply the ‘Nordic model’ to tackle prostitution. This model decriminalises those who sell sex acts and supports them to exit prostitution, whilst at the […]

SUPPORTING LESBIAN. GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) CONFERENCES

The 4th Asian Regional International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association conference scheduled to be held on March 26-29, 2010 in Surabaya, Indonesia, ended before it could start. Conference participants were threatened by religious fundamentalist groups in Surabaya led by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). The International Lesbian. Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association […]

UK GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) HUMAN RIGHTS – HOLDING THE COALITION TO ACCOUNT

Conference acknowledges the breakthroughs achieved under the last government to promote LGBT equality internationally. These included: 1.Support for and representation at Pride events; 2.Support for statements on LGBT equality at the United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council; 3.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) toolkit to promote LGBT equality Conference recognises that Government Minister […]

Young Members’ Seats on National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee

Conference is aware that Young Members are the next generation of activists and leaders. Decisions taken at this and every other UNISON conference will affect their lives more than any others. Conference notes that Young Members are recognised and have a seat on the highest body of this union, the National Executive Council. UNISON needs […]

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

Domestic abuse knows no boundaries of gender, culture, class, age, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or belief. A recent survey showed that 40.1% of the women surveyed and 35.2% of the men had experienced same sex domestic abuse with even more experiencing sexual abuse. The survey showed that there were still barriers to recognising domestic abuse […]

LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS

98% of UK lesbian, gay and bisexual Asylum cases are refused at the initial application stage and the asylum system results in many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Asylum seekers being returned to countries where they may face persecution and possible death. It has now become essential that the national LGBT Committee continue a […]

BETTER FACILITIES FOR GAY MEN EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE

Conference expresses its disgust at all forms of domestic abuse and realises that all victims deserve the full support of the community and the full protection of the law. Conference notes that according to the charity Broken Rainbow, one in four gay men will experience domestic abuse in their relationships. Domestic abuse does not just […]

The New Equality Legislation

Conference welcomes the new Equality legislation following the successful passing of the Equality Bill prior to the General Election earlier this year. It is expected that the Equality Act will be phased in from the autumn of 2010. This new Act now includes protection for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and especially Transgender people in a single […]

FIGHTING THE FAR RIGHT

Conference is very aware that although the far right political parties did not win a seat at the recent General Election, their activity has by no means decreased. These parties and those associated with them continue to practice their homophobic, biphobic and transphobic ideals not forgetting their racism, disablism, xenophobia and other hatred including of […]

ACCESS TO VOTING AND POLLING STATIONS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

This Conference will be concerned that many people were unable to exercise their right to vote in the 2010 elections as they were turned away on the day. Sometimes disabled people don’t get the opportunity to be turned away by the polling officer despite the duty in the Electoral Administration Act 2006 for local authorities […]

STRETCHING TARGETS FOR DISABLED EMPLOYEES SO THEY REFLECT THE POPULATON

This Conference is concerned that disabled people may become the first casualties of current job cuts in the public sector. Conference is also concerned that disabled service users will suffer if there are less disabled people employed in the public sector. It is very unusual for any workforce to reflect the percentage of the population […]