LGBT+ delegates debate a packed agenda

A busy day at UNISON’s LGBT+ conference saw delegates discuss a number of major issues. Mental health was high on the agenda, with Alan Williams for the union’s North West LGBT group saying that there was a “concerningly high rate of suicide attempts by LGBT+ members” and called for more training for reps on the issues. Hannah Stephenson urged delegates to return to their branches and ask their employers for mental ill health training, while a speaker from the North West talked of how “one person with the right information can make all the difference”. She said that research suggests that simply calling a young trans person by their chosen name can reduce the risk of suicide by 65%. Another speaker cited “the constant state of cuts” as making “reaching out for help” increasingly difficult. Graeme Ellis said that the national disabled members committee feels “very strongly that the onus for training for mental health first aiders should be on employers,” but stressed that the group does support UNISON’s mental health champions scheme. Delegates discussed the “very visible increase in hate crime in the last few years,” in a motion moved by Rachel Blacklock. “In my area, we’ve seen a 35% rise in hate crime in the last five years.” Thirty-six per cent of that rise included violence. It was not just a problem facing the LGBT+ community, “but we’re stronger together and can’t just let this happen.” Talking of having to make choices about...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Article News LGBT Source Type: news