“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many schools, it’s as if Section 28 was never repealed.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