This year’s LGBT Conference was held at the Bristol City Centre Marriott Hotel. Over 350 Delegates from 179 Branches across the UK were there representing the LGBT community to carry issues that are important to the LGBT community.
Conference heard from three Guest Speakers. Eleanor Smith, UNISON Vice-President. Fiona Mactaggart MP, Shadow Minister for Equality and Yesimi Ilesanmi, Nigeria Labour Congress. All of these Guest Speakers carried the same message - We must fight the cuts to Public Sector and Services that are vital to the LGBT Community.
Of the many debates over the weekend the unifying theme was the damage that the Government's spending cuts are going to have on LGBT people. From the impact on LGBT disabled members of cuts to Disability Living Allowance, to the cuts to already patchy services supporting Transgender to transition, to funding cuts for LGBT community organisations.
But the resolve of delegates was clear, that we are united and ready for the fight. LGBT Self-organised Groups are an example to other parts of the union, with strong links to community groups which we need to mobilise wider support for our campaign.
Each group must be out there taking UNISON's Million Voices into the community as well as mobilising LGBT members, that way we won't just have a Million Voices, but a million feet on the streets of London come March 26th.
"Together we will defend our public services and speak up for LGBT equality – that's why I'm proud to be here today."
That was the message from UNISON vice-president Eleanor Smith, addressing the union's LGBT conference in Bristol and introducing the theme that would be heard from speaker after speaker.
Delegates stressed that recruitment was more important than ever in the fight against the Con-Dem coalition government's cuts.
Conference heard Ms Smith say that "recruitment is our number one priority” and that theme was taken forward as delegates discussed how to grow the union, inside self-organised groups and in the workplace as a whole.
Tim Roberts of the LGBT national committee described it as: "A huge organising challenge", adding: "We're stronger together – get organised!"
Another delegate said: "It isn't what the union can do for you, but what you can do for the union."
As conference got its teeth into the issues, another delegate issued a challenge: "Each and every one of us needs to stand up and be counted.
"There is strength in numbers – everyone has a part to play."
Another common theme amongst the Debates was Domestic Abuse, Conference heard from two speakers who told us about their own struggles against Domestic Abuse, the effect it has had on their lives and the ever growing need to raise public awareness not only at home but also within the emergency services who are the frontline teams dealing with Domestic Abuse.
There were three Motions from the Northern Region submitted to Conference this year.
o LGBT Victims of Domestic Abuse
o Support for Older LGBT people in Rural Areas
o Recognition of Civil Partnerships - An International Issue, a Human Rights Issue
All of these Motions were debated at Conference and all three Motions were passed by Conference.
Several of the Northern Region Delegates stood and spoke on various Motions this year, and we had more Delegates and Visitors than ever attending Conference.
Conference also heard about UNISON LGBT International campaigns. There are still countries in the world where identifying as LGBT will lead to Death. We cannot let this happen to our LGBT brothers and sisters worldwide.
“We must stand up and fight for Equality” was the closing statement from Yesimi Ilesanmi from the Nigeria Labour Congress, who herself has stood in the face of discrimination and hatred because of her sexuality.
On a lighter note, there is a social aspect to the LGBT Conference. The South West region hosted a Reception on the Friday night and a Social Mixer on the Saturday night. The local Gay Scene in Bristol also welcomed all of us warmly into their bars and clubs. The Bristol City Centre Marriott hotels also welcomed us openly and were more than happy to cater to our needs. I myself have made many new and valuable friends across the UK because of the Conference.
Mark Scott from our branch told me
I am very proud to come from the Northern Region as one of the first time Visitors to conference,
“The feeling here at conference is warm and friendly, I have made many new friends and I have not felt intimidated at all with it being my first time at any Unison Conference.”
I am thankful to my Branch for letting me attend the LGBT Conference 2010 and I look forward to next year’s conference which will be held in Glasgow.
Michael Hood-Dodd NTW HEALTH BRANCH UNISON
Last Updated: November 26, 2010
