Unions must step up campaigning against LGBT inequality, prejudice and hate

Speaking to delegates attending the annual TUC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Conference later today (Thursday), TUC Assistant General Secretary, Paul Nowak, said:

“In just a generation, there has been a profound change in attitudes and culture on sexuality and transgender. Of course, all too often ‘gay’ is still thrown round as a casual term of abuse in schools, and homophobic bullying has found a new outlet online and in social media. But some of the issues unions have campaigned for, like equality and gay marriage, are no longer contested like they were.

“It’s not a change that is in anyway perfect or universal. Nor did it drop fully formed from the sky. It’s a change of attitude and culture that has been driven by unions and others who have fought long and hard for equality and respect.

“Equal marriage is now on the statute book – something unthinkable just a generation ago. That change, that recognition that a person should be free to marry whoever she or he wants, was brought about thanks to your efforts, your campaigning. And that is truly something to take pride in.

“But while much progress has been made, underlying problems facing LGBT communities sadly remain. Prejudice and ignorance continue to scar the lives of far too many people. We know that LGBT workers are two and a half times more likely to face workplace bullying and discrimination, and that hate crime remains a huge problem.

“UKIP has no qualms about putting campaign vehicles on the streets with ‘no to gay marriage’ slogans and some Conservative activists are up in arms about the new legislation. In Europe, the far right is on the march – both metaphorically and literally. Our job is to remain vigilant against these threats. That’s why, as the election approaches, the TUC is stepping up its campaigning against inequality, prejudice and hate.

“We’re fighting the austerity that continues to cast such a long shadow over all our communities. Services for young people, funding for LGBT groups, mental health provision – all are being cut to the bone. And it falls on us in the union movement to resist these draconian cuts.

“We’re also highlighting the scourge of homophobia in parts of our education system. In too many schools, it’s as if Section 28 was never repealed. And the explosive growth of academies and free schools – completely outside local authority accountability – is making the problems worse not better. Working alongside the teaching unions, the TUC is continuing to put pressure on ministers to address these issues. We won’t stop until they treat homophobia in our schools with the seriousness it demands.

“We’re exposing the damage that attacks on the UK’s equality infrastructure are causing. Whether it’s cuts to the Equality and Human Rights Commission or the weakening of equality legislation, so much of the progress it took years to win is at risk. For example, since the new system of employment tribunal fees came into place last July, the number of sexual orientation cases has fallen by a colossal 76 per cent. It means that thousands of LGBT workers are having to suffer in silence, priced out of justice.

“We may have made big strides forward in the UK, but elsewhere in the world the situation facing LGBT people remains grim. In Russia, they face repressive laws and brutal treatment. In Nigeria and Uganda, hostile legislation – such as the now-enacted ‘Kill the Gays Bill’ – is fuelling bigotry, hate and violence. And across the Arab world, human rights abuses against the LGBT community sadly remain the norm.

“In Berlin last month, the International Trade Union Confederation agreed to explicitly include LGBT rights in its remit following amendments proposed by the TUC delegation. To address the injustices facing LGBT people across the world requires international action, and unions have to lead the way. Our movement has never walked by on the other side and we are not about to start now.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The TUC’s LGBT Conference takes place on 26-27 June at Congress House. If you would like to attend, please contact the press office.
- Paul Nowak spoke to the conference in the morning session (11am) on Thursday 26 June. Gloria de Piero MP, and Maria Exall, Chair of the TUC’s LGBT will also address the conference in the Thursday morning session.
- Conference delegates will debate motions on topics including bullying and discrimination in the workplace, gender identity prejudice, equalities monitoring and international LGBT rights.
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
- Congress 2014 will be held at the Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool, from
Sunday 7 September to Wednesday 10 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/media-credentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Wednesday 27 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Liverpool and will cost £75.

Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen   T: 020 7467 1248    M: 07778 158175    E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth    T: 020 7467 1372    M: 07717 531150     E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk