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STUC’s LGBT+ Workers to Meet as UK Falls in LGBT+ Rankings

LGBT+ workers across Scotland will meet in Clydebank this weekend as shocking new data shows that the UK has fallen in LGBT+ rankings.

Running from Saturday the 27th until Sunday the 28th of May, the 12th Annual Conference will debate and discuss the key issues affecting LGBT+ workers in Scotland, including: • LGBT+ discrimination in the workplace • Tackling the global rise of LGBT+ hate • Reforming gender identity clinics • Ending sexual harassment

The conference comes at a time where the UK has fallen in the IGLA-Europe’s Rainbow Europe map and rankings. The UK is now sitting at 17th place, having been at the top just 8 years ago.

ILGA-Europe is an independent, international non-governmental umbrella organisation uniting over 600 organisations from 54 countries across Europe and Central Asia. Their Rainbow Europe map and rankings brings together both the legal index of LGBTI equality based on their Rainbow Europe Map and an overview of the social climate for LGBTI people in each country based on their Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People.

This year’s chair, Kris Hendry, stated:

“While we are pleased that the Scottish Government finally passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, we are dismayed at the UK Government’s block on the legislation.

“The continuous delay on this legislation is helping to stoke the flames of division, using the rights of trans people as a political football and an opportunity for some to attack wider LGBT+ equality overall. The treatment of our transgender comrades is undoubtably a factor when we see how far the UK has fallen in the IGLA Europe’s Rainbow Europe map and rankings.

“For us, it’s not a debate, trans rights are human rights and we will do all we can to protect and enhance them. Our conference is an opportunity to re-affirm this commitment, as we discuss the key challenges facing all LGBT+ people in Scotland and around the world.”

STUC General Secretary, Roz Foyer, stated:

“The trade union movement has a long and proud history of championing equality, challenging injustice, and striving to end all forms of discrimination, and harassment.

“The STUC supports the committee’s ambitions to stamp out transphobia. We make no apologies for the STUC’s unequivocal support to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and our solidarity to the trans community.

“We have a collective responsibility to stand with all our LGBT+ comrades, to protect and advance their rights in Scotland, and around the world.”