TRANSPHOBIA HARMS CHILDREN TOO

Conference notes with concern the negative impact that transphobic bullying and restrictive gender stereotypes can have upon children of all ages who: 1.Self-identify as transgender; 2.Self-identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual; 3.Appear to be gender variant in any way (often labelled as ‘tomboy’, sissy’, ‘butch’ or ‘camp’); 4.Have a parent or other family member who […]

EQUALITY IS FUNDAMENTAL

Conference believes that equality is fundamental and that members represented by our self-organised groups and young members organisation may face particular barriers in the workplace and in getting involved and active in our union. Indeed many members face multiple barriers. Conference notes that the introduction of the public sector equality duties has seen some improvements […]

EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) PEOPLE

Conference welcomes recent legislation aimed at ensuring more equal access to goods facilities and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people – especially as this also means more equal access to healthcare provision. But these are only recent legislative changes, and many reports highlight the entrenched disparities in the provision of health services for […]

ENSURING NON-DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE PROVISION

This conference notes with regret the decision of the Employment Tribunal in the case of Ms L Ladele v London Borough of Islington (2203694/2007 July 2008). Ms Ladele, a Registrar in Islington, refused to officiate at Civil Partnership ceremonies on the grounds of her expressed Christian belief. The Tribunal found that she could not reconcile […]

NON-DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLICLY FUNDED SERVICES

Conference notes that some high profile media coverage of a 2008 employment tribunal judgment suggested that civil registrars were not obliged to carry out civil partnership ceremonies if that contravened their religious beliefs. The Tribunal found in favour of an Islington Registrar who refused to officiate at Civil Partnership ceremonies on the grounds of her […]

Making rights real

Conference welcomes the Human Rights Inquiry being undertaken by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The inquiry will: 1.Assess progress towards the effectiveness and enjoyment of a culture of respect for human rights in Great Britain; and 2.Consider how the current human rights framework might best be developed and used to realise the vision of […]

Equality is Fundamental

Conference believes that equality is fundamental and that women, black, disabled, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and young members may face particular barriers in the workplace and in getting involved in the union. Indeed many members face multiple barriers. Conference notes that the introduction of the public equality duties has seen some improvements in […]

Equal Marriage Law

This Conference welcomes the recent introduction of Civil Partnerships for same sex couples. Conference believes, however, that current provision is not entirely satisfactory as same sex couples who may wish to marry are prevented from doing so and opposite sex couples are barred from entering Civil Partnerships. In addition, where a person seeks to obtain […]

Quotas are not enough

Conference notes that UNISON has shown its commitment to equality for Black members – and to Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) members – through reserved seats on the National Executive Council, National LGBT Committee and other national self-organised group committees, and through the requirement for fair representation in conference delegations and all union […]

Hidden from hate

Conference notes that people living with HIV and AIDS are considered disabled from the point of diagnosis under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 2005. However, Conference is disappointed to note that the Ministry of Justice did not accept an amendment to section 146 of the Criminal Justice Act to give people living with HIV the […]

Getting away with murder

Conference notes the recent report ‘Getting Away With Murder’ from the UK Disabled People’s Council (UKDPC) endorsed by the TUC and Crown Prosecution Service, which looks at all aspects of disability hate crime and follows recent cases of violent attacks and deaths of disabled people. Whilst these attacks have been targeted specifically at disabled people, […]

Support for ILGA Scholarship Programme

In a number of countries around the world, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people struggle to be visible in civil society or gain recognition for their rights within the framework of human rights legislation. Trade unionists and community activists have for a long time recognised the importance of solidarity in the establishment and protection […]

Delivering local government services without prejudice

Conference notes that whilst an Employment Tribunal ruling does not set legal precedent, widespread publicity for the judgement in the case of Ms Ladele v London Borough of Islington (2203694/2007 July 2008) added to the false impression that local government workers can claim their religion or belief as a reason for discriminating against lesbian, gay, […]

Pride is a Protest

Conference recognises that Pride events are a celebration of the lesbian, gay, gisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement’s successes and achievements over the past 50 years. Conference also recognises that pride is a protest, an opportunity for our movement to organise and promote the cause of LGBT people, as well as a prime opportunity to engage […]

Criminalisation and enforced testing of people suspected of being HIV positive in Egypt

This not only violates the most basic rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and people living with HIV, it also threatens public health, by making it dangerous for anyone to seek information about HIV prevention or treatment. The most recent arrests occurred after police followed up on information coerced from men already […]