A union that keeps making LGBT+ history

February is LGBT History Month, so what better time to take a few minutes to consider how UNISON has been making history in the fight for LGBT+ equality – and to have a chat with someone who’s been deeply involved in that struggle. But first, let’s check out the history. Decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales finally occurred in 1967 – lesbianism had never been illegal. In 1976 NALGO, one of UNISON’s founding unions, was urging negotiators to seek to add sexual orientation to non-discrimination clauses in all collective agreements. In 1981, NUPE member Susan Shell was sacked from her job as a residential care assistant for being a lesbian. While she had the support of her union, the law offered no protection at the time. Ms Shell’s situation – and the lack of protection – saw NUPE affiliate to the Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights, the first trade union to do so. Also in 1981, decriminalisation finally arrived in Scotland and, 12 months later, in Northern Ireland. Marching on the Isle of Man Fast forward to 1983 and NALGO’s annual conference in Douglas, on the Isle of Man. On the island, a British Crown dependency, homosexuality was still a criminal offence. At the conference, many delegates wore stickers saying ‘Glad to be gay in Douglas’ and ‘Gay OK’ and, on the Thursday, some 300 delegates marched along the promenade and through the main shopping centre to deliver a petition to the government building, calling for gay r...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News LGBT LGBT members Source Type: news