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Edinburgh
Branch Contacts:
Next Meeting: For details and child care arrangements, phone the above number. |
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Updated 25/4/00 |
Scrap the Clause
Section 28 is a trade union issue
Section 28 was never about how sex is taught in schools - it was always about a discriminatory law that legalises poorer services to one group in society.
UNISON has a clear mandate to fight discrimination and a good record in doing so. We must continue to do so.
It should not be forgotten that this legislation was introduced by the Thatcher government as part of a wider attack on local government and the good work being done to help the disadvantaged in society
The “Keep the Clause” campaign have been exposed in carrying on opposition despite measures specifically ensuring that children are protected and that education will be child centred.
There is no place in a 21st century Scotland for legalised discrimination, now is our chance to show we want to scrap the section.
Lobby of the Scottish Parliament
The Mound, Edinburgh, 9.15am - 10.00am Thursday 27 April 2000.
Join us to support equality for all
UNISON City of Edinburgh -
Lesbian and Gay Self-Organised GroupActivity: March 1998 - March 1999
Relaunch of the group
Agreed to elect an organiser each year to take responsibility for calling meetings, keeping records, etc. - Natalie Robertson.
Questionnaire to all members on our database to consult on meeting times, venues, topics for discussion, etc.
Put information about the group on to the branch's web-site.
Regular articles in branch magazine. Flyer at branch AGM.
Reports circulated from visits, events and conferences.
Meetings have been held monthly. Three times a year our meeting is opened up to the whole of the Lothians.
Action taken:
Scottish Lesbian and Gay conference - seven members of our branch attended, two motions were moved by our branch. Natalie Robertson represented the Labour Party on the panel of prospective candidates for the Scottish Parliament.
6th National Lesbian and Gay Conference: two motions submitted - Superannuation Schemes & Delegations to APF and TUC Forums. Seven members wished to attend, funding was received for five. (Superannuation motion going from branch to National Delegate Conference).
STUC Conference - Murray Forgie attended as the Scottish Lesbian and Gay Committee representative, and got excellent media coverage for his 'full monty' - demanding that New Labour deliver equality for lesbians and gay men.
Equal Age of Consent Lobbying - Murray Forgie co-ordinated the distribution of 320 letters to all Scottish and Unison linked MPs.
Murray Forgie and Tracy Gilbert went to London to lobby MPs on the day of the vote.
Section 28 - Tracy Gilbert attended demo.
Scottish Pride - seven members of our branch attended with banner. All took turns on the Unison stall.
London Pride - four members of our branch attended with banner.
Stonewall 2000 Campaign - two members attended Stonewall activists' conference; postcards circulated through branch.
Equality Network - invited speaker to attend meeting to update us on their activity, in particular their work around the Scottish Parliament. Natalie Robertson and Tracy Gilbert attended their conference in October.
Branch Committee and Equalities Committee - represented by Natalie Robertson.
Artificial Insemination by Donor (AID) treatment was raised with Service Conditions Convenor and Equalities Officer - outcome: paid leave should be granted for anyone requiring time off for attending hospital for a course of medical treatment.
Response to consultation on national lesbian and gay conference structure.
Discussion on Unison's Best Value, Equal Value document.
Regular updates on the work of Unison in general , but in particular the Scottish Lesbian and Gay Committee, also Pride Scotland, Equality Network, Edinburgh Lesbian Mothers Group.
Summer social event - BBQ.
Christmas social event.
Scottish Lesbian & Gay Committee
Five members of our branch serve on this committee. Linda Jackson is now Co-Convenor. Welcome to Bernie Mooney - a new addition to our group and the Scottish Committee.
Murray Forgie serves on the Scottish International Committee and Natalie Robertson serves on the Scottish Women's Committee and is one of two reps. to Scottish Council.
Finally, congratulations to Linda Jackson who represented Scottish Region on the National Lesbian and Gay Committee for eight years! Thanks Linda!
Equality 2000 Campaign
For Lesbian and Gay EqualityUNISON Scotland has agreed to actively support the Stonewall Equality 2000 Campaign for legal equality for lesbians and gay men.
Scottish Council also agreed to affiliate to Stonewall and assist the campaign by distributing information through UNISON following a meeting proposed by this branch, Glasgow City Branch and the Scottish Lesbian and Gay Committee.
Equality 2000 was devised as a way to campaign for all the important aims in the fight for legal equality by linking them together under a five point agenda.
- Equal recognition for young lesbians and gay men in our schools, an end to homophobic bullying and the repeal of Section 28.
- Equal treatment under the criminal law, an equal age of consent and the repeal of gross indecency.
- Equal protection from discrimination in the workplace in education and in the provision of goods and services.
- Equal recognition and respect for same sex partners.
- Equal recognition and respect for lesbian and gay parents and their children. Parliament and the future Scottish Parliament should recognise lesbians and gay men as full members of our society, enjoying the same rights and responsibilities as all other citizens.
UNISON fully supports the Equality 2000 campaign with its 5 challenges for equality and social justice by the millennium.
Only last month the European Court of Justice (ECJ) dropped a political and legal bombshell on lesbian and gay rights in this country, when it ruled against Lisa Grant's claim for equal treatment in the workplace. The legal bombshell was the courts outright rejection of Lisa's claim that she had a valid case against her employers for sex discrimination - despite last years backing by the Advocate General. The ECJ claimed that since gay men would also have been refused the perks which Lisa was claiming for her partner Jill, sex discrimination could not be claimed.
One positive outcome of the case is that it has provoked employers to think carefully about the issues and to act positively towards their lesbian and gay employees. UNISON would hope that we shall see the same moves with employers within the public sector.
The trade union is hoping that all branches will get involved in this campaign by affiliating to Stonewall and will be actively encouraging members to get involved in the postcards to Tony Blair campaign. This will be part of Stonewall's National Campaign to have over 1,000,000 postcards delivered to Downing Street before Lesbian and Gay Pride 1998.
For more information contact Murray Forgie or Natalie Robertson at the branch office on 220 5655 or come along to the next Lesbian & Gay meeting.