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TUC LGBT Equality Newsletter

Goods and Services

LGB Goods and Services delay

When consultation on the contents of the Government's promised new regulations to outlaw discrimination in the provision of goods and services on grounds of sexual orientation closed in June, it was expected that the law would be published in time for implementation in October 2006.

The latest information from the Government's Women and Equality Unit (the responsible department) is that the regulation will be not be in force until 6 April 2007. They cannot yet say when the text will be laid before Parliament, although the last date that this could be done is February.

Ministers are said to be pondering over how to deal with the response to the consultation. Over 2000 responses were made, and it is known that two totally contrary approaches have been presented. The TUC and many unions and others called for no exemptions from the law, while religious fundamentalists want to be totally exempt!

The problem with secondary legislation such as this regulation, is that it cannot be amended, so what is published is very likely to be what we get. The TUC will of course watch out for any signs and alert unions about what to expect.

... and trans protection under discussion

Meanwhile, the important question of providing protection for trans people against discrimination in goods and services remains a matter for the proposed Single Equality Act, promised in 2007, but again, it is not clear yet what the Government's intentions are at all for the intended law.

LGBT History Month

Congress House launch

In 2007, LGBT History Month, which is entering its third year, will enjoy full scale TUC backing.

In 2006, the TUC was pleased to be included among the supporters of this important opportunity to boost the profile for LGBT people everywhere. For the coming year, more concrete steps have been taken.

The HM 2007 will be launched at a major event to be held in Congress House on 20 November, 5-8pm. General Secretary Brendan Barber will welcome guests and a diverse range of speakers and entertainers (including renowned US lesbian comedy act Lea Delaria) is being invited to give the 2007 Month the best possible start.

Anyone wishing to attend the launch needs to join the guest list at launch@lgbthistorymonth.org.uk.

Local History Months

The point of LGBT History Month, of course, is that everyone can do something, whether large or small in scale. All it needs is an idea, and some planning. TUC regional LGBT forums might wish to start thinking about activities they might contribute in their own areas.

LGBT History Month has a website, and this contains reports from the 2006 Month, which might prompt ideas for activities. Visit it at www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk.

International News

Jamaica: it gets worse

Ever since the critical position of LGBT people in Jamaica was brought to the attention of trade unionists two years, the TUC has coordinated the raising of financial support for the Jamaican LGBT organisation, J-Flag. Over £3000 has been raised in contributions from union branches and badge sales, and transmitted to the group.

But meanwhile, there has been no improvement in the position of our sisters and brothers on the island. Most recently, in another near-tragic development, a gay Jamaican was deported back to the island by the UK Government, and promptly shot on his arrival, even though he went back to a different area from that whence he had originally fled to seek refuge abroad.

Members of the TUC LGBT Committee, coordinated by UCU member Patrick Willliams and PCS member Yvonne Washbourne, are working with the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group to help people in this man's position, and to challenge the attitude of the immigration service to Jamaican asylum seekers.

The news of the shooting should encourage everyone to continue their fund-raising. Has your union branch or region made a donation yet? Contributions payable to 'TUC' should be sent to the editor of this newsletter. (The latest news about the victim is that he has survived the attempted murder).

Out in Montréal

Trade unionists from the UK were among 1,700 others at the International Conference on LGBT Rights held alongside the world Outgames held in Canada in July this year. There was a strong global TU presence, with Leontine Bijleveld from the ICFTU alongside reps from Education and Public Services International. A declaration was adopted that lays out the basic demands of LGBT people for equality and human rights.

A trade union sub-conference was organised (Workers Out!) by the Canadian and Quebec unions, with 225 participants representing unions from Canada, the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. John Monks sent greetings from the European TUC. Unions played their part in the main conference too, including running a workshop with 50 participants. At this, it was noted that as yet, many unions globally are not yet promoting LGBT equality, and the work already done by the TUC in pushing this agenda internationally was well received.

The next games (including conference and sub-conference) will be in Copenhagen in 2009.

Tim Lucas (NUT) and Carola Towle (Unison) were among UK participants. Tim has provided a full report for the TUC and it is likely that this will be followed up with high level action within the UK.

Committee news

LGBT Committee: new Chair

Many readers will know that the first elected chair of the TUC LGBT Committee, David Lascelles, had to stand down from the General Council in 2006, following a severe illness. Fortunately, David has been recovering well, and has asked to thank everyone for their kindness and good wishes.

At Congress 2006, there was only one nomination for the seat on the TUC General Council for a representative of LGBT trade unionists, and Maria Exall of the CWU was elected. It is therefore probable that Maria will be elected chair of the LGBT Committee when it first meets (30 October).

News from the LGBT regional forums

Wales LGBT Survey

The Wales TUC LGBT forum has published the outline findings of a survey carried out amongst LGBT workers in Wales by Dr Matthew Williams (University of Cardiff). The results confirm a number of trends apparent from other surveys but also contain some encouraging news.

Overall, the number of people facing harassment because of being LGBT continues to be high, a third of men and a quarter of women, with more than half unhappy with the outcome when they raised the issue. However, a majority felt they would be supported by colleagues if they raised an issue in the first place.

However, this figure conceals a massive difference between workers in the public and voluntary as opposed to the private sectors., where only a handful had considered seeking support as opposed to 35% in the public and 50% in the voluntary sector. Membership levels were much lower, overall, in the private sector. This was also suggested by the fact that two thirds of respondents were from the public sector.

Two thirds of union members said they had been influenced in their decision to join a union by the existence of a structure for LGBT members, and a large majority of union members (84% of women and 95% of men) were confident of raising issues within their union. Similarly large percentages were out at work.

The full report is due to be published later this year and will no doubt provide useful information to support LGBT members in work and in their unions.

Yorkshire and the Humber

The LGBT forum has been active, meeting regularly and organising activities both inside and outside the trade union movement. This summer, the forum was able to take part in no fewer than four regional Pride events, with stalls in Huddersfield (30 July), Wakefield (13 August) and York (20 August), and with banners, flags and leafleting at the Leeds Pride march (6 August). This heavy workload was carried by a small team of regulars and the group hopes more folk will come along to help next year. Each event was well-attended and the trade union presence was well worthwhile from a visibility and from an organising point of view.

SERTUC re-launch

It is no secret that following a highly successful launch, the Southern and Eastern Region LGBT group went into the doldrums, as fewer people attended meetings, which in consequence were unable to do anything. Despite this, and thanks to a very small core of determined volunteers, SERTUC leaflets were distributed at London Pride and, particularly usefully because it reached a new audience, at Soho Pride (30 July).

SERTUC LGBT group will be re-launched at a rally in Congress House on Saturday 18 November (from 2pm) with a range of speakers. Hopefully, following this, a structure can be established that will sustain itself, with the support of the TUC regional office.

Forthcoming events

Faith and Homophobia 17 February 2007

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) along with a growing number of other LGBT community groups, including both religious and secular organisations, is organising a conference in East London under this title on 17 February 2007. The aim is to discuss strategies for challenging the growing problem of fundamentalist-inspired homophobia, and the TUC has been approached for support. Unions regionally may wish to discuss sending delegates and arranging discussion of the issues to be raised at this event. More details when available, but also check the website www.lgcm.org.uk.

Major trans conference, June 2007(?)

The TUC LGBT Committee will discuss whether to go ahead with an idea originally floated by Pride London, to sponsor jointly a national conference on trans issues during the Pride fortnight leading up to London Pride on 30 June 2007. The TUC has responded enthusiastically, but of course it is up to trans people and their organisations to decide whether, and how, to move on this proposal.

Latest Publications

On the TUC website

In case anyone missed them when announced, two recent TUC publications are available free to download from the 'equality' pages of the website, www.tuc.org.uk.

LGBT Equality in the Workplace is an updated review of the law and good practice, including previously published advice on monitoring sexual orientation and gender identity, and on trans issues at work.

Also published this summer was a new advice leaflet on HIV/AIDS, prepared jointly with the National AIDS Trust. In acknowledgement of the increasing number of HIV infections being recorded, it was felt important to provide workplace representatives and officers with an outline of the main issues, and signposting for more detailed information available from the NAT.

Meanwhile, the joint TUC/Stonewall leaflet on the sexual orientation regulations, Discrimination, it's so over, which is designed to offer basic information on our legal rights at work, has been used with success at Pride events all through the year. However, large quantities were printed and are still available, free of charge. Contact the TUC is you have any opportunities to distribute them coming along in the next few months.