Delegates discusses tackling hate and persecution around the world

The first plenary session of UNISON’s LGBT+ annual conference in Edinburgh this morning saw a strong emphasis on continuing persecution of LGBT+ people, in the UK and around the world. Delegates debated a number of motions on trans equality – including the need to combat anti-trans narratives in the media, negotiating trans equality with employers and supporting gender neutral toilets and changing facilities. Gail from the North West pointed out that trans people – particularly trans women – have been harassed, verbally and physically abused for being perceived to be in the ‘wrong’ toilet. “The right to access for safe toilet spaces” is crucial to inclusivity, she said. Alex from Eastern region went further, saying they’d been harassed for the same issue – in a gay club. For the national committee, Sophie praised the trans ally training that has been developed with LAOS, the union’s learning and organising services section. Feedback has been very positive and it helps to create pressure for policies to support trans and non-binary people in workplaces. Another delegate in a local council talks of their experience of transitioning, comparing the lack of a problem staff had with clients coming through the system who are trans and non-binary, with the apparent problem they then had with colleagues who are trans and non-binary. And they pointed out: “Transitioning is not a linear process … you don’t just wake up one morning and think: ‘I’m tran...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article 2022 LGBT 2022 LGBT conference Source Type: news