Working to Support Lesbian and Gay Issues in Further and Higher Education

This Conference welcomes the initiative and objectives of the recent publication “ACTION”, a joint AUT (Association of University Teachers)/NATFHE (National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education)/ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers) policy statement on equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) staff and students in Colleges and Universities. The document is detailed […]

Working with other Lesbian and Gay Trade Unionists in the English Regions

Conference welcomes the development of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender networks in most of the Trades Union Congress’s (TUC’s) English regions and in Scotland and Wales. It urges UNISON Regional Lesbian and Gay Committees to contribute to these developments and to make them a standing item on the agenda of their meetings. It instructs the […]

UNISON National Lesbian and Gay Committee (NLGC) and the Trades Union Congress Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (TUC LGBT) Committee

This Conference recognises the valuable work of the Trades Union Congress Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (TUC LGBT) Committee in building and developing policy for the TUC on LGBT issues and UNISON’s involvement in this. Conference also recognises the work of the voluntary LGBT organisations, but believes the trade union movement is best placed to […]

Trades Union Congress Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (TUC LGBT) Conference

Congress recalls its view that the Trades Union Congress Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (TUC LGBT) Conference should not always be held in London. (Resolution 17 of the eighth National Lesbian and Gay Conference, 2000.) Moreover, it notes that, this year, the conference was held later than usual and on dates which, as far as […]

Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003

Conference celebrates the fact that next week sees the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations come into force. The regulations will make it unlawful to discriminate against lesbians and gay men in the workplace. Conference applauds the fact that the regulations cover all sectors and that there is no small employer exemption. Conference recognises the input […]

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 […]

Network Development in Rural Areas

Westnet is a UNISON Scotland lesbian and gay (L&G) forum which meets quarterly in the West of Scotland to promote, encourage and support L&G members in the area. Westnet encourages isolated members to come along and receive support in establishing their own groups and has successfully helped to establish groups within South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, […]

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 […]

Working with other Lesbian and Gay Trade Unionists in Our Localities

Trades Union Councils bring together trade unions on a local basis and offer an opportunity for them to support one another and work together on common issues. They therefore offer the opportunity for lesbian and gay (L&G) trade unionists to work locally on a cross-union basis and for the trade union movement to make links […]

Employment Equality Regulations

Conference welcomes the implementation of workplace protection on the grounds of sexual orientation, whilst deploring the exemptions granted on religious grounds. Conference believes that this will allow discriminatory practices which will be far more widespread than is necessary for the maintenance of a religious faith extending to groups such as teachers and administrative staff. The […]

Becoming a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgener Self-Organised Group

Conference welcomes the comprehensive consultation exercise on a possible extension of the lesbian and gay group to include bisexual and transgender members and the report that has been produced as result of that exercise. This Conference believes the UNISON lesbian and gay self-organised group should become a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender self-organised group, and […]

Homophobic Bullying in Schools and Isolation of Lesbian and Gay Students

Conference welcomes the end of Section 28, which was finally repealed receiving royal assent on September 18th, and notes the very long campaign for its repeal amongst the lesbian and gay (L&G) community and the broader labour movement. Conference in particular highlights the role played by trade unions in keeping up the pressure on the […]

Sex Discrimination Act (1975)

Conference notes that: 1.the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) forbids discrimination against married persons but offers no equivalent protection to unmarried persons; although, 2.the Equal Treatment Directive may protect married and unmarried persons equally from discrimination. Conference considers this is an “Achilles Heel” which may undermine legislation intended to promote equality for lesbians and gay men. […]