Working with trans and non-binary service users

Conference notes the success of the National Lesbian, Gay, Trans and Bisexual Plus (LGBT+) Committee’s campaign on trans equality, particularly the trans ally training programme. Over 1,000 UNISON members have now been trained, and trans and non-binary members are being trained to deliver the training and reach even more members. Conference reaffirms our commitment to […]

Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023

Conference notes with concern the recent passing into law the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 by Uganda at the end of May 2023, and welcomes the condemnation of this legislation by the United Kingdom[1], the United States[2], the European Union, the UNHCR[3] and others. Conference is concerned for the safety of LGBT+ people in Uganda. Conference is […]

Intersectional zero tolerance to hate crimes

This conference is deeply concerned by the steep rise in hate crime across the United Kingdom (UK) in the last 5 years. Conference welcomes progress made by UNISON over many years in campaigning and negotiating for equality both in and outside of the workplace. Conference is alarmed by the rapid rise in homophobic, bi-phobic, transphobic, […]

REINVIGORATING LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANGENDER PLUS (LGBT+) SELF ORGANISATION IN UNISON’S YEAR OF LGBT+ WORKERS

Conference considers that organising workers around a common experience is central to our movement. Prejudice and discrimination are deep-rooted, Members who identify as women, Black, disabled, LGBT+, young and retired members have traditionally been under-represented in democratic structures. Our self-organised groups (SOGs) and National Young Members’ Forum (NYMF) and retired members’ committee are essential to […]

Increasing non-binary and gender diverse inclusion

Conference notes that in 2022, the national transgender caucus changed its name to the trans, non-binary and gender diverse network to be more inclusive of all gender identities and expression beyond the gender binary. Conference welcomes this more inclusive name for the network. Conference further notes that our non-binary and gender diverse members make a […]

Addressing the lack of Black LGBT+ participation

Conference notes that this is the Year of Black Workers. UNISON has an estimated 185,000 Black members. Racial discrimination and unfairness continue to be an every-day experience for Black people at work, and in wider society. Even within our own union and within the self-organised groups (SOGs) there are barriers to Black members achieving their […]

30 years on: Re-affirming our commitment to supporting LGBT+ Asylum and Immigration rights.

Conference recalls and celebrates the significant work undertaken over the last thirty years by the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) Committee both within UNISON and in collaboration with national and international partners on the issues affecting LGBT+ asylum seekers, refugees, and migrant workers. Conference notes the “Equality and the UK Asylum process” […]

A louder voice for the PLUS

It’s estimated that 1.7% of adults worldwide are on the asexual/aromantic spectrum. We know around 5.3% of the UK population identify as LGBT+, making the asexuality figure one third of that. How much of our UK population have asexuality is unknown. People who are asexual face barriers around awareness and understanding. Regular misconceptions about what […]

CONVERSION THERAPY

Conference notes conversion therapy that includes medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to erase, repress or change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person remains completely permissible under law in the United Kingdom (UK). This is a huge concern. Conference welcomes the motions passed at the 2021 and […]

Police with Pride

Conference notes with concern the decision in 2022 by London Pride that the Metropolitan Police could not march at pride in uniform, and the decision in 2023 by Brighton Pride that Kent Police would not be welcome to march this year. However, Conference also notes the Baroness Casey Review into the Metropolitan Police reported “institutional […]

The cost living crisis on Ethnic Minority

The cost of living crisis on Ethnic Minority The cost of living crisis in the UK is disproportionality impacting on ethnic minority women workers, many of whom are part time workers. Black employees could see the hardest hit to their wage as inflation rates in the UK continue to surge. A report by the Womens […]

We must defend attacks on Women’s human rights

Conference notes that commitments to abortion and sexual health rights have been quietly removed by the Government from an international pack on freedom of belief and gender equality. (https://inews.co.uk/news/government-removes-commitment-women-abortion-rights-summit-freedom-beliefs-1750246) Conference, over the last few years we have seen repeated attacks on women’s abortion and sexual health rights across the globe. In amending the language to […]

Cost of Living Crisis-Maternity Leave

The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, with the inflation rate, hitting 10% last month, the highest levels in 40 years. The energy prices have rocketed and daily household expenses have also increased but wages are just rising by a maximum of just 5.2% (according to the Office for Budget Responsibility), with benefits increasing […]

Workplace Policies on Sexual Harassment

Conference notes that a number of motions were passed at National Delegate Conference in 2022 on Violence Against Women. Too many public bodies are moving towards having an all encompassing fair treatment at work policy rather than individual polices focusing on specific issues like sexual harassment, racial discrimination etc. where the voices of marginalised groups […]

Dual discrimination and disabled women

Conference is concerned about the level of discrimination that disabled women are subjected to every day. Conference is further concerned at the government’s continuing failure to implement Section 14 of the Equality Act 2010 which offers protection against dual and multiple discrimination. At 14%, the Disability Pay Gap is the UK’s biggest pay gap and […]