Join our LGBT+ members group

Help to amplify LGBT+ members’ voices in the workplace

In our self-organised groups, LGBT+ members meet to discuss their particular concerns and develop proposals for promoting equality in the workplace to feed into the wider structures. LGBT+ members in these groups also provide valuable support and encouragement to each other. Here’s how our groups are structured at national, regional and local level.

At branch level

There is a developing network of branch LGBT+ groups which meet to:

• discuss local terms and conditions;
• build a support network for members facing problems at work;
• provide a forum for the debate of issues, which are then fed into regional groups;
• assist members in gaining the confidence to get involved in other levels of the union.

At regional level

Each of UNISON’s 12 regions has a group that meets regularly.

Regional groups are involved in a whole range of activities, including:

• taking up places on the regional structures to represent our members;
• building links with LGBT+ community groups;
• organising training for activists;
• supporting the formation of branch groups;
• working closely with the other self-organised groups and young members in UNISON.

Regional groups each elect two representatives to the national level.

At national level

LGBT self-organisation at a national level is co-ordinated by the national committee.

There are two seats for each regional LGBT+ group on the committee, plus seats reserved for bi+ and trans members, and for Black and disabled LGBT+ members.

The national LGBT+ committee is a recognised part of the union structure and works with other national committees, such as the national executive council and national negotiators, to ensure our rights are being taken up in every forum.

Stronger together

In UNISON, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus members work together to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and build equality for us all.

We believe we are stronger together. We also recognise it is important to make room for the distinctive voice of bisexual members and transgender members.

These groups have reserved seats on the national committee, to ensure they are well represented. Members are elected at annual national bi+ and trans network meetings, which also agree proposals to the annual national LGBT+ conference.

Black and disabled LGBT+ members

Because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not a uniform group, and because our community is as prone to racism and discrimination against disabled people as the rest of society, Black and disabled members meet as distinctive groups within our self-organised group.

The national committee holds annual meetings for Black and disabled LGBT+ members.

These national network meetings elect members to the national committee and formulate proposals to go to the annual national LGBT+ conference.