National Blood Transfusion Service

Conference notes that men who have sex with men are still barred from donating blood in an official capacity to the National Blood Transfusion Service, whether you are a ‘practising’ homosexual or not. Conference also notes that the need for blood donation is continuously highlighted in the press and media and that only 6% of […]

Addressing LGBT Mental Health Needs

This Conference, welcomes the Lesbian Advocacy Services Initiative (LASI) research into lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) mental, emotional & sexual health that highlights and acknowledges that homophobia and heterosexism are a primary cause of mental ill health for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Conference acknowledges that transphobia is a primary cause of mental ill health […]

Out in the Country – Addressing the Needs of Rural LGBT People

Conference notes that life for many of our members can be difficult. In addition to the challenges of heterosexism, homophobia, bipobia and transphobia, for many LGBT people rural living presents added difficulties including social and geographical isolation, transportation problems, and lack of basic resources, facilities and services. To address the social exclusion and isolation of […]

Gender Reassignment and Workplace stress

Conference welcomes the partnership work between the Scottish Transgender Alliance and UNISON which has resulted in the creation of a new Guide for UNISON Reps on Supporting Transgender Members at Work. Conference also welcomes that the UNISON Bargaining Factsheet on Negotiating for Trans Workers’ Rights was updated in May to take account of the new […]

Confusion around Gender Recognition Certificates

Conference recognises that human rights must be universal, not conditional, and therefore all trans people must have their dignity upheld and their gender identity and privacy respected regardless of their physical anatomy or legal gender. Conference welcomes that the Gender Recognition Act 2004 makes it a criminal offence for someone who acquires information in an […]

Playing Our Part – Mainstreaming Recruitment within our Self Organised Group

Conference notes that trade union membership density in most employers where UNISON has members has been falling in recent years and that less than one in two public sector workers are members of UNISON. Conference recognises that we need to grow in numbers and density to grow in influence with employers and the government and […]

Taking Our Place in Public Life

Conference notes that despite some high profile achievements, the participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in public and political life remains low. Stonewall’s 2008 “Serves you Right” report found that there were no openly gay or lesbian people in the British cabinet, the Scottish cabinet or the Welsh cabinet. There were only […]

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and LGBT Equality

Conference welcomes the creation of the EHRC whose job is to provide support to equality and human rights in England, Scotland and Wales, while in Northern Ireland (NI) the NI Equality Commission has existed for some time. Conference welcomes the fact that one of the areas prioritised by the Commission has been to litigate in […]

Inclusivity at Conference

Conference supports the organisation and participation of events to encourage and celebrate achievements and to promote the involvement of women, black members and disabled members who self define as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT). Conference welcomes and commends the work of the National LGBT Committee regarding the active and positive participation by those who […]

Tackling Homophobia in Schools and Colleges

Conference notes that homophobic bullying causes permanent damage to young people and blights the schools and colleges where it takes place. Conference further notes that homophobia affects all pupils, students and staff regardless of their sexual orientation. Conference recognises that state schools in England and Wales have a duty of care to ensure the safety […]

Homophobia in Sport

Conference welcomes the initiative launched by The Premiership and Football League in trying to rid football from homophobia. Whilst recognising that this is a good starting point, conference believes that more work is needed to ensure the campaign develops in success to the levels achieved by UNISON involvement in campaigns such as ‘Show Racism the […]

Outing Policies

Conference notes that by their very nature, sexual matters are private and confidential. Conference further notes that some people are comfortable talking about their partner but that many people do not share such information with their managers or colleagues. Conference supports organisations that make strenuous efforts to ensure confidentiality of procedures and information management systems […]

HIV Treatment Availability and Male Rape

This Conference expresses its disgust at all forms of sexual assault. Victims of such crimes deserve the full support of everybody and the full protection of the law. Conference notes that sex attacks on men could be reported less consistently than attacks on women; therefore male victims may remain invisible and unsupported. Conference notes that […]

Equality at the Heart of our Union – Equal Means Making it Happen

Conference affirms that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality is an integral part of the organising and bargaining work of the union. Conference considers that UNISON’s Equality Scheme is a significant opportunity to achieve this. The purpose of the Equality Scheme is to make sure that equality is promoted and discrimination challenged in everything […]

Workplace Blood Donor Sessions

Conference is aware that some employers encourage their employees to donate blood by allowing the National Blood Service (NBS) to run donor sessions in the workplace. Conference notes that for people who may be unable to donate due to current donor selection criteria (including many gay and bisexual men, as well as people with medical […]