“We stand at a critical point for the dignity, justice and equality of all our members. This ruling risks undermining the hard-won rights of our trans members. It calls our basic freedoms, that should be protected, into question.”
This was the opening statement of an emergency motion on the second day of national conference. The motion was to confirm UNISON’s commitment to the trans community, following last month’s Supreme Court ruling, which stated that “woman” means a biological woman in law and that trans women would not be permitted to use single sex facilities.
“This decision sent shock waves through the LGBT+ movement, particularly our, trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities. Far from bringing clarity, as Kier Starmer claims, this judgement is causing confusion. A lot of the discourse that has followed has threatened the safety and dignity of our LGBT+ communities,” the mover explained.
This passionate and moving debate, with tens of delegates queuing to express their support for the motion, included one delegate who said: “An injury to one is an injury to all. Solidarity is a verb. It literally means we stand together to support each other.”
“Trans rights are human rights. Trans-men are men and trans-women are women. Non-binary people’s identities are valid. This has been UNISON’s policy for decades and it remains so now,” said a delegate in support of the motion.
Another delegate added: “Whatever your views of the LGBT+ community, please show some compassion and empathy. This is about the right to live in peace and security.”
Worryingly, but not surprisingly, this judgement is against a backdrop of equality rights being eroded and the rise of the far right.
“Our colleagues have been on the sharp end of attacks for the last few years, but these attacks are coming from a variety of places, including the far right and Reform UK, particularly since they took control of councils,” said one delegate. “And what is one of the first things they do when they come to power? They are getting rid of EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) officers. These are the very officers who impact upon the workplaces of the LGBT+ community.
“No one should believe that this ruling and the erosion of equal rights will stop here. The consequence of this ruling does not stop with trans people, but with anyone who does not fit in the white, patriarchial society.
“In the wake of this ruling our union must go stronger. When legal protections are undermined for one marginalised group, they impact upon all discriminated groups: women, Black people and so many others. This is a fight for all of us.”
Conference passed the motion unanimously and many speakers also called for delegates to stand together in workplaces and to challenge transphobia.
“We must challenge misinterpretation of this ruling that threatens to erode the rights of trans people, and we must actively work with groups to curb the rising tide of transphobia discrimination in the workplace. Let’s stand together and fight for trans equality.”
A delegate from the national women’s committee, said: “The women’s committee is at the forefront against the supreme court ruling. Unions have a power to stop this with new and better equality laws.
“Trans people’s lives are threatened with this ruling, and this includes the workplace. The whole union should follow the example of the women’s national women’s committee and pledge solidarity. Be brave, be bold.”
The article ‘We stand in solidarity’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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