Lesbian Visibility Week

And it’s also a chance to celebrate some of the incredible leaders in our movement - people like Maria Exall, a proud lesbian who is the first out LGBT+ President of the TUC.

We’re proud of all of the lesbian, bi, trans and queer women and non-binary trade unionists making change in workplaces across the country every day! And we know that there is so much more change that is needed for lesbians to be equal at work.

Lack of support at work

Our research shows a widespread lack of support for LGBT+ people, with one in five workplaces telling us they do not have any policies in place to support their lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT+) staff at work.

And less than half of HR managers told us that they have family policies (such as adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental leave policies) that apply equally to LGBT+ workers. This is important, as accessing IVF remains a postcode lottery for LGBT+ people who can face many extra barriers when it comes to starting a family. The TUC is currently supporting a bill which is going through Parliament which would protect workers from redundancy during or after pregnancy or after periods of maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.

Our research also reveals extremely high levels of LGBT+ women reporting sexual assault in the workplace, as well as other forms of bullying, discrimination and harassment. We know that those with multiple marginalised identities are more impacted and in fact one in eight BME LBT+ women have been sexually assaulted at work. Check out our resources on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.

The government should consult with unions on a strategy to make sure workplaces are safe for all LGBT+ people. We are calling on the Government not to backtrack on its commitment to introduce legislation that would protect workers from harassment by customers and clients.

Trade Unions for Trans Rights

We’re proud to be launching our new Trade Unions for Trans Rights network this spring. The network will be a space for trade unions to work closely with LGBT+ charities and community organisations, to create and share resources and research, and co-ordinate campaigns.

Our trans siblings are under attack by the media and the Government, and an attack on one is an attack on us all. If fact, recent research shows that lesbian young adults were most likely of all LGBT+ identity groups to say they know a trans person (92%), and are most likely to say they are supportive of trans people (96%).

The LGBT+ pay gap

Lesbians are hit by both the gender pay gap and the LGBT+ pay gap. Polling suggests that the LGBT+ pay gap is around 16%, and recent research from Just Like Us found that a third of young LGBT+ women earn less than £19,999 a year.

The TUC is calling for the Government to introduce a statutory requirement for large employers to report their LGBT+ pay gaps and employment rates – with regular monitoring and action plans detailing how employers will address these inequalities. Check out the Equality Trust's toolkit on achieving equal pay in the workplace for templates and ideas for challenging pay gaps where you work.

Join a union

All LGBT+ people should know that trade unions are here to defend them in the workplace and beyond. Join a Union.