1. UNISON FE Seminar 16.04.16 Carola Towle – UNISON National Officer (LGBT Equality) Natalie Roberts – LGBT National Committee Member

2. What we’ll cover What is the LGBT SOG? What do we do? Successes / headlines Q&A What do we need you to do?

3. What is the LGBT SOG? LGBT self organised group Open to ANY member of UNISON who identifies as LGBT SOG has an elected National Committee Each region has group and activites Some branches have groups, several hundred have LGBT officer

4. National Committee Representatives from each of the UK’s 12 regions Additional representatives from 4 caucus groups – Black members, Disabled members, Bi members, Trans members Work closely with other national SOGS, young members, NEC and service groups Twice yearly meetings with regional LGBT group convenors Annual branch LGBT officer training

5. What do we do? Recruitment, Campaigning, Organising, Activism Represent UNISON at national and international levels Actively work to raise profile and visibility of LGBT issues Produce and promote LGBT information for LGBT members, And for branches and negotiators Annual National LGBT conference – around 400 members attend

6. National, International & other work Community outreach at scores of prides and other LGBT events Resources to support branch organising eg for LGBT history month, IDAHOBIT, bi visibilty day, trans day of remebrance Out in UNISON - LGBT newsletter Representatives on international committees (ILGA)

7. Why work internationally?

8. Successes / Headlines https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2015/11/standing-with-our-lgbt- members/ https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2015/11/standing-with-our-lgbt- members/ http://feweek.co.uk/2016/01/18/government-pledges-action-on- unacceptable-transgender-bullying/ http://feweek.co.uk/2016/01/18/government-pledges-action-on- unacceptable-transgender-bullying/ https://www.unison.org.uk/about/what-we-do/fairness-equality/lgbt/ Dave Prentis presenting at last National LGBT Conference

9. Q&A

10. What do we need you to do? Help to raise our profile in your branches Make us known to your colleagues who are LGBT Promote the ‘rainbow’ lanyard Importantly, work to eliminate LGBT discrimination in FE Participate in our next exercise with gusto and enthusiasm – what a seamless link!