RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION – UTILISING E-COMMUNICTION

Conference recalls the resolution of the Eleventh National Lesbian and Gay Conference (Motion 20, Activating Our Members) which instructed the National Lesbian and Gay Committee (NLGC) to produce a bulletin to which any UNISON member may subscribe by electronic mail or by post with the aim of stimulating local activity by individuals or small groups. […]

PENSIONS

Conference welcomes the progress made by UNISON, working with the other affiliated unions, at Labour’s National Policy Forum on 25 July 2004 which agreed a series of policies that will form the basis for Labour’s manifesto for the general election widely expected to take place next year. In particular policies that relate to Pensions, such […]

FAIR REPRESENTATION OF PART-TIME, MANUAL AND LOW PAID WORKERS

Conference recalls that Resolution 26 of the 2003 UNISON Lesbian and Gay Conference noted that members with manual and part-time jobs and other workers who are low paid are under-represented at UNISON Lesbian and Gay Conference, compared to the proportion of these workers in the union as a whole. It instructed the NLGC to review […]

ENSURING UNBLOCKED ACCESS TO SUITABLE EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES FOR SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS

Conference commends the progress made by the NLGC in its work with the Government and other organisations on last year’s recommendations to do with improving the range and availability of educational materials for young lesbians and gay men in schools and youth groups. Conference also welcomes the passing, at this year’s National Delegates Conference, of […]

JAMAICA – STOP THE HOMOPHOBIA

This Conference deplores the vicious murder of Brian Williamson in June 2004. Mr Williamson was one of the founder members of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), which seeks to achieve equality for all in Jamaica’s society. Conference further deplores the attacks by an active minority in the private homes of gay […]

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST POTENTIAL BLOOD DONORS

This Conference is dismayed that gay and bisexual men are still discriminated against by the National Blood Service, by being denied the opportunity to give blood. Conference is concerned that this is perpetuating an unwelcome and damaging myth that all gay and bisexual men present a danger to the health of others when, in fact, […]

SEXUAL ORIENTATION REGULATIONS PUBLICITY – STONEWALL

Conference expresses it’s concern that the publicity material produced by Stonewall “Discrimination at work, It’s so over” funded by the DTI makes little reference to the role in which the trade union movement can play in enforcing the Sexual Orientation Regulations. Conference instructs the NLGC to work with Stonewall and the TUC (including the WTUC), […]

CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS BILL – PENSION PROPOSALS

This Conference welcomes the proposed legislation to establish Civil Partnerships, and believes that this will constitute a positive step forward in the legal recognition of our relationships. However, Conference is concerned that some of the proposals for survivor pensions are flawed and need revision. Conference believes: 1.Where a final salary scheme provides a spouse’s pension, […]

Young Lesbians and Gay Men – the Need for a National Strategy

Conference notes that young lesbians and gay men are six times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. They are also more likely to succeed so they account for over half of actual youth suicide in the UK. Conference therefore welcomes the repeal of Section 28 as the single most effective step to […]

Celebrating Our Milestones and Challenging Inequality

Conference celebrates the recent successes in working towards lesbian and gay (L&G) equality. In particular we have seen the introduction of an equal age of consent, implementation of the Human Rights Act, protection against workplace discrimination, improved tenancy and adoption rights, the repeal of Section 28, the repeal of discriminatory sexual offences legislation and the […]

Raising the Profile of Lesbian and Gay Self- Organisation in Colleges of Further Education

This Conference welcomes the call in the resolution “Branch, Steward and Workplace Organisation” of 2003 National Delegate Conference for the development of a programme of improving organisation in further education (FE) colleges. Conference believes that this programme should include initiatives to raise the profile of self-organisation in FE colleges and to encourage participation by FE […]

Young Lesbians and Gay Men

Conference notes that young lesbians and gay men are six times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. They are also more likely to succeed so they account for over half of actual youth suicide in the UK. Conference therefore welcomes the (almost certain) repeal of Section 28 as the single most effective […]

Pensions Discrimination Suffered by Lesbians and Gay Men

Conference notes the Government’s disgraceful and hypocritical failure to ensure that the 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations will redress the pensions discrimination suffered by lesbians and gay men in public sector pay schemes. The Government has argued that this is because of the pension schemes cannot ‘afford’ to pay lesbians and gay men equal […]

Male Prostitution – UK Local Government Response

This Conference expresses its concern at Glasgow City Council’s recent leaflet “Prostitution – Changing the Outlook”. This leaflet is being circulated to all staff in the council and contains information on the council’s policy on prostitution and the role which staff have to play in tackling the issue of street prostitution in Glasgow. The text […]

Domestic Violence

Conference notes with concern that reported incidents of domestic violence are increasing, and that these figures reflect an increase in the incidences of same-sex domestic violence. Conference therefore calls on the National Lesbian and Gay Committee to; 1.urge the National Executive Council (NEC) to issue guidelines to Branches to ensure that issues of same-sex violence […]