LGBT Conference 2016

November 10 2016

Opening the 13th LGBT conference in Leicester on Wednesday, chair of the LGBT Advisory Committee Kate Stewart, welcomed new delegates and warned of the challenges that are still faced in today’s society: “The UK has slipped down the rankings for LGBT rights to third place in Europe and we still have hate crimes against the LGBT community around the world as was proved on the 12th June in Orlando this year when 49 people lost their lives.”

Head of Equality Linda Roy used her opening address to echo those sentiments on the rise in hate crime amongst the LGBT community since the fall out of the EU referendum. “It deeply saddens me that since the Brexit result, hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have increased 147%. The toxicity of homophobia and homophobic hate crime seems also to be spreading throughout Europe. In far too many countries throughout the world, LGBT rights aren’t about civil partnerships or same sex marriages, they are about life and death.”

Linda then turned her attention to the role that political parties have played in fanning the flames of discrimination, in particular UKIP: “It is worth reminding ourselves that both UKIP and Conservative MEPs have some of the worst records on supporting LGBT rights in the European Parliament. Now UKIP seem to be in crisis. And the CWU will be doing all we can to hasten their demise.”

On the future Linda explained how it is important to remember the union’s role in pushing the LGBT agenda forward: “For millions of LGBT people in the UK and globally, the world has undoubtedly become a better, safer and fairer place. And this union has played an important part in this. We believe that regardless of an individual’s sexual orientation, or gender identity, all human beings should be treated with dignity and respect and as equals. There is no place for prejudice.”

CWU General Secretary Dave Ward stressed the importance of the role of the LGBT community in shaping the future of the union: “Our message is very simple that from the leadership of the union, right through to our representatives, LGBT values are trade union values, our values and my values and we have to get that message across in the workplace and show leadership in that area.”

Dave continued: “We have to think long and hard about how we take LGBT values into our own workplaces first. I want to work with the LGBTAC on how we can take the debate forward into the workplace and this will stand as a response from the union to the rise in hate crimes.”

Midlands Regional Secretary Kate Hudson welcomed the delegation to Leicester by detailing the role that her branch had played in helping a local LGBT centre in Wolverhampton stay open and praised the vital work that it does for the community. “In the last year alone they prevented atleast 24 suicides, providing support and encouragement. Recently Martha Wilson – who runs the centre – told us that they were struggling with funds and relied on the goodwill of volunteers. So, we as a region donated money to the centre and marched with Wolverhampton Pride in October.”

Kate continued: “Martha is a champion of our community, just as you are champions of your community and workplaces every day. We must make sure you have the continued support of the union and reach out to those who need help the most.”

Motions

Amongst motions which confronted both industrial and national issues were subjects including same sex marriage in Northern Ireland, transgender issues, the tackling of hate crime and a debate on expanding LGBT in the workplace.

Teresa Clark speaking on behalf of the LGBT advisory committee raised the issue of same sex marriage still being outlawed in Northern Ireland: “It is the only part of the British Isles that still does not allow same sex couple to marry. It is only right that all UK citizens, regardless of where they happen to live, are offered the opportunity to marry.”

South West Regional Equality Committee member Katy Hartland put forward a composite motion for the introduction of a named officer for Transgender issues on the LGBTAC. “The role of the officers would be to provide a point of contact for members regarding help and advice and lead relevant awareness campaigns.” The motion which was carried unanimously was supported by Jean Sharrocks on behalf of the LGBT: “It would be a step forward for this union in addressing transgender and bisexual issues.”

Mark Bastiani, the chair of the London regional equality committee, discussed the “appalling” treatment of asylum seekers by the UK government and how LGBT Asylum seekers are told to ‘prove’ their sexual orientation which is “demeaning and inhumane”. Merlin Reader who rose to support the motion on behalf of the LGBTAC spoke of the “prejudice” that asylum seekers face: “migrants are demonised by the government and large parts of the mainstream media. We want the cessation of intrusive questioning of LGBT people.”

Another motion which dealt with the treatment of individuals both in the UK following Brexit and in the rest of the world was brought forward by Laurie Smith on behalf of the Greater London Combined branch. “Homophobic attacks in the UK rose 147% in the three months following the Brexit result.” explained Laurie. The motion called for working with other unions to end the scapegoating of migrants and other groups, to work on fighting the rise of homophobia, transphobia and other hate crimes and increasing awareness amongst our own membership on the issue.

The development of a one day Transgender and gender re-assignment awareness course for representatives was also called for on behalf of the North West Regional Equality Committee. Des Gibbons moving the motion said: “transgender people need more protection at work, as they still face prejudice and discrimination. Many of our reps will have not met a trans person at work and would probably be unfamiliar with trans issues and trans equality in the workplace.” In support of the proposition Tara Morgan, LGBTAC said: “I think there should be more diversity training, it is a daunting task to be in the workplace without support. Some people wouldn’t know the difference between a lesbian and a thespian.”

Guest Speaker

Guest Speaker, Lee Barron, the Midlands TUC Regional Secretary addressed conference with a valuable contribution on the TUC’s Dying to Work campaign. The campaign which was launched in 2015 when GMB member Jacci Woodcock – after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer – was asked to meet HR on her return to work. Instead of showing support and offering help, they instead tried to dismiss Jacci by questioning her capability.

“People think the protection is there but I am categorically saying it isn’t!” explained Jacci from an emotionalDVD which was played to delegates describing her condition. Under the 2010 equalities act it is still possible for an employer to dismiss a terminally ill employee. “The Dying to Work campaign would like to see terminal illness recogn
ised as a ‘protected characteristic’ so that an employee with a terminal illness would enjoy a ‘protected period’ where they could not be dismissed as a result of their condition.” explained Lee.

Whilst still campaigning and lobbying government to change the law, the TUCalso launched a voluntary charter in 2016,in which companies can sign up and support the campaign. Now over 100,000 employees are covered under the charter in their workplaces, however Lee insisted “there is much more work to be done”.

Lee told conference: “Too many workers still face the worry and stress of dismissal when trying to prolong the life they have left; it really is time we ended this cruel insecurity and gave people dignity for their end of life time. Some issues are leftor right, this issue is about what is right or wrong.”