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date: 29 June 2010

embargo: 00.01hrs Thursday 1 July 2010

TUC calls on Government to show genuine commitment to LGBT people

Speaking at the TUC's annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) conference in London today (Thursday) TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady will welcome the coalition's early commitment to LGBT equality, but will warn this must be backed up with a real change of heart within Government.

Frances O'Grady will say: 'Much has been achieved over the past decade but some hugely difficult challenges remain for LGBT people in Britain and across the world.

'Thankfully the new coalition Government is not hostile to LGBT people in the way the 1980s Tory Government was - and we warmly welcome the public commitment the Prime Minister made two weeks ago to tackle some of the outstanding issues on the LGBT equality agenda. In the light of our continuing work in education, we particularly welcome education minister Nick Gibb's commitment to combat homophobic bullying in schools and colleges.

'But scratch beneath the surface, and it's not quite so rosy. Ministers have already signalled the new public duty in the Equality Act will be pretty toothless - a case of light-touch implementation.

'And while some Conservatives may pay lip service to tolerance and diversity, earlier in the year we witnessed the squalid spectacle of Conservative frontbencher Chris Grayling defending B & Bs which refuse to accommodate gay and lesbian couples.

'But the sad truth this is just the tip of a pretty reactionary iceberg, because as we know the Conservatives have aligned themselves with some of the most regressive political parties in Europe.

'And this matters enormously because while we may have made real legal advances in the UK, we have yet to see a parallel shift in social attitudes. If the biggest party in our Parliament is prepared to form an alliance with Europe's far right fringe, then what kind of message does that send out to the British people?

'Britain may be a more diverse, more tolerant place than a generation ago, but discrimination, prejudice and hate continue to disfigure the lives of LGBT people. As with racism and sexism, the public sector must take the lead in challenging prejudice and hate towards LGBT people. If the new duty fails to deliver, then we must put pressure on both Government and employers to raise their game.

'LGBT people worldwide need our support and our solidarity and it's our responsibility, our duty, to respond accordingly - to lead from the front and to show our movement is a champion of all working people, regardless of creed, colour or sexuality.

'Let us keep fighting for what we believe in. Let us tackle discrimination, prejudice and hate, and together let us win justice for LGBT people everywhere.'

Several hundred lesbian and gay trade union activists will travel to central London for the two-day conference (1-2 July), which will debate topical issues such as homophobic violence and hate crime, tackling prejudice against LGBT sportsmen and women, and the current Equality Bill.

Speakers include TUC President Dougie Rooney, Lynne Featherstone MP, journalist Johann Hari and Chair of the TUC LGBT Committee Maria Exall,

The day after the conference the TUC is also taking part in the London Pride parade which sets off at 1pm on Saturday from Baker Street and heads along Oxford Street and Regent Street, ending up in Trafalgar Square for a rally at 3pm at which TUC Policy Officer Peter Purton will speak.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- If you would like to attend all or part of the TUC LGBT conference, please contact the TUC press office who will organise accreditation for you.

- The conference is from 11am on Thursday 1 July to 5.30pm on Friday 2 July at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS. Speakers include: TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady, TUC President Dougie Rooney, Lynne Featherstone MP, journalist Johann Hari, Chair of the TUC LGBT Committee Maria Exall, TUC Policy Officer Linda Stewart, Cutting Edge Consortium representative Martin Pendergast, Adam Rogalewski from The All Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ) and Unison, and Yemisi Ilesanmi from the Nigeria Labour Congress. For more information about the conference and agenda please contact Peter Purton on 020 7467 1271 or email ppurton@tuc.org.uk

- Congress 2010 will be held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex from Monday
13 September to Thursday 16 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/congress/tuc-18063-f0.cfm and returning a form. Applications must be in by noon on Monday 6 September. Any received later than that will be processed in Manchester and will cost £50.

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
Elly Gibson T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: egibson@tuc.org.uk

Press release (900 words) issued 1 Jul 2010