GAY AND LESBIAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION

Conference is deeply disturbed by the Autumn edition of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) magazine, which contains a number of statements which can be interpreted as Islamophobic and racist. The headline on the front cover was “The sick face of Islam”. One article demonised immigrants stating: `our major towns and cities being for […]

EQUALITY BILL – THE NEED TO CAMPAIGN FOR INCLUSIVE PROVISIONS COVERING DISCRIMINATION IN GOODS, FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Conference welcomes the news that the Equality Bill was passed in the House of Lords on 9 November 2005 and that it allows the government to bring forward regulations to outlaw discrimination in the provision of goods and services for LGB people as well as outlawing discrimination in goods, facilities and services on the grounds […]

ACCESS TO CONFERENCE AGENDA PAPERS ON UNISON WEBSITE

Conference expresses its concern at the late publication of the Preliminary Agenda for our Conference this year. Conference believes that having the preliminary agenda available for regional and branch group meetings is helpful in allowing democratic decision making and the submission of amendments etc. Conference further notes that a decision has also been taken that […]

LGBT CAUCUS

This LGBT Caucus is concerned that, since the change of procedures, the LGBT Disabled Caucus did not have time to meet, to prepare motions to the National Disabled Members’ Conference, and the meeting on 6 August was cancelled by National Headquarters. Therefore the LGBT Caucus did not have time to prepare motions or amendments to […]

TRANSGENDER EQUALITY AND PRESSURE TO DIVORCE

Conference notes that transgender members can experience disproportionate pressures when they develop their transition if they are married people. For members to be able to obtain a full Gender Recognition Certificate and consequently a birth certificate that recognises them in their chosen gender, they are placed under considerable pressure in the requirement to take part […]

ONGOING CAMPAIGN FOR BLOOD DONATION AND A WIDER CAMPAIGN ON ORGAN DONATION

Conference congratulates the National Delegate Conference in its determination to enable LGBT members in UNISON to be organised in the union in regional LGBT groups. Conference notes the work undertaken by the National LGBT Committee, so far in relation to how blood donation operates and its impact upon mainly gay potential donors who are unable […]

London Bombings

We condemn the horrific attacks on London on 7 July, 2005, and extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and friends of the 55 who died, and to the hundreds of others who have endured terrible physical and psychological injuries. We applaud the commitment and courage displayed by fire fighters, health workers, council workers […]

ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL TV SWITCHOVER

The current proposals by the government and broadcasting agencies will see the ending of all analogue broadcasting in this country between 2006 and 2010 – digital TV will be imposed upon the whole population by 2012 at the latest. There is considerable concern that this may leave many elderly retired persons either with poor services […]

PENSIONS

Conference considers that the present cost of utilities – electricity, gas and water charges, are disproportionate for pensioners whose income is limited. Conference believes that the best way to alleviate the effect of these charges upon pensioners is to fully restore the value of the state pension and the restoration of the earnings link to […]

SCREENING OF BLOOD DONORS

This conference notes that the purpose of the blood services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood. Screening of blood donors for HIV is necessary for the safety of the blood supply because the available tests for screening donated blood for HIV are not infallible, […]

RULE D4.5.2 SELF-ORGANISED GROUPS

In Rule D4.5.2 After “other initiatives to the Regional Council”, delete: “or Regional Committee.” And replace with: “and Regional Committee.”

WHO BENEFITS? IMPLICATIONS OF THE CIVIL PARTNERSHIP ACT 2004

Conference welcomes the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 [CPA] which recognises our partnerships and families. However, conference notes that same-sex co-habiting couples who choose not to register their partnerships will have obligations in respect of claiming welfare benefits. Conference notes that disabled and black LGBT members are more likely to be low paid […]

HIV/AIDS

Conference notes that in the UK, people living with HIV/AIDS face discrimination and harassment at work and within wider society. HIV/ AIDS has always been a workplace – and a trade union – issue. From December 2005, workers living with HIV will be covered by the anti-discrimination provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act from the […]

ENSURING EQUALITY FOR OLDER LGBT PEOPLE IN HOUSING PROVISION

Conference congratulates Communities Scotland for research into ensuring equality for older LGBT people in housing provision and for the publication of the extremely practical booklet. This research was carried out in conjunction with older LGBT people in Scotland and involved input from various agencies including UNISON. The research has produced an extremely useful “housing and […]

SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN LIBRARIES

Conference congratulates the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) for updating its CILIP Equal Opportunities Briefing “Sexual Orientation in Libraries”. It is intended to facilitate equality of opportunity for Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals and Transgendered people using, or working in, all types of library and information services. This information will prove to be […]