Christina McAnea: ‘ It ’ s great to be loud and proud ’

“It’s great to be able to be loud and proud – and I will continue to be loud and proud against homophobia and loud and very proud to be a trans ally, and I will ensure that UNISON always remains the best trade union for LGBT+ workers.” That was the pledge from UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea this morning, when she addressed the union’s LGBT+ conference in Edinburgh, as she applauded the fact that being “loud and proud” was the event’s central theme. “You have done so much to be loud and proud about,” she said. “2022 – our biggest Pride season ever, from the Shetlands to London, Brighton to the Isle of Man.” UNISON, she continued, had “always strongly advocated for trans rights.” The union’s “brilliant” trans equality campaign helps “give our activists the tools to combat the divisive political weaponising of trans issues,” which is damaging to trans people , but also to the “whole of society”. The past year had seen over 400 members trained on how to be a good trans ally, while there’s also been a “bump in members taking part in UNISON’s trans caucus.” But Ms McAnea was clear that such things were needed precisely because anti-trans discrimination is “not going away and we have to be ever more vigilant.” “Today we will be launching an updated trans inclusion policy,” she told delegates: “Practical applications and outcomes”. The general secretary stressed that fighting inequalities is at the heart of wh...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2022 LGBT 2022 LGBT conference Christina McAnea trans rights Source Type: news