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 […]
Conference motions
Conference notes that a workplace that actively creates an inclusive environment for its employees is more successful, retains staff, provides empowerment of opportunity, and builds stronger relationships. In UNISON we understand the power of ‘Stronger Together’, our history is testament to this. As we move into UNISON’s ‘year of LGBT+ workers’ in 2024 we also […]
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 […]
Conference greatly values the opportunity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) members to gather for one weekend every year at National LGBT+ Conference to share concerns and aspirations, and establish priorities for the subsequent year. This is a key event for the LGBT+ Self-organised group. Conference recognises the amount of planning involved, the […]
Conference notes the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategies (VAWG) currently in place or in consultation across England and devolved nations must be more explicit in its inclusion of LGBT+ communities. Research by the national partner and sexual violence survey found that underreporting of domestic abuse in the LGBT+ community is between 60 and 80%. […]
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) remains one of the most stigmatised long-term health conditions. Our members living with HIV often face stigma, discrimination, prejudice, bullying and harassment in the workplace, in healthcare settings, and in their daily lives. Conference notes that over 100,000 people in the United Kingdom (UK) are living […]
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” […]
Conference notes that the word Queer has for many people in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender plus (LGBT+) communities extremely negative connotations as for nearly 130 years the word has been used as a way to insult and alienate members of the LGBT+ Community. Conference notes that the first reported use of Queer as a […]
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 […]
Conference notes that UNISON is often described as ‘The Public Sector Union’ and has a huge amountof members working in the public sector. The Public Sector Equality Duty came into force in 2011 and requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to achieve the objectives set out […]
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” […]
Conference is delighted that this years National Delegate Conference unanimously supported to make 2024 the ‘Year of the LGBT+ Worker’, which is in contrast to the resistance and challenges when it was first sought to become a LGBT+ self-organised group many years ago. LGBT+ members in UNISON can still sadly encounter discrimination at home, at […]
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 […]
Conference recognises the differences in charging and sentencing Offenders against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender plus (LGBT+) Victims, than Offenders against some of the other marginalised groups in current Law. Hate crimes can only be prosecuted as such if evidence of hostility is submitted as part of the case file. Hate crimes are personal; they […]
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 […]