Congress motions

Motion

Motion title

Trans and non-binary solidarity

Session

2022-2023

Meeting link

Annual Congress

Meeting date

27 May 2023

Status

Passed

Motion

60

Motion text

Congress notes:
1. The Tory government has stepped up its war on trans and non-binary people.
2. Sunak’s decision to block the Scottish government’s reforms of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) in January.
3. increasingly hostile narratives in media / social media including moral panic around LGBT+ people, especially trans people
4. individual and coordinated anti-LGBT+ attacks emboldened on Twitter since takeover by Elon Musk
5. Trans Media Watch is a trans-led media organisation working to ensure accurate, respectful, media representations of trans people.
6. The murder of trans teenager Briana Ghey in Warrington in February.
7. The mass protests and vigils resulting from the above.
Congress believes:
a. UCU’s trans-inclusive position is correct, and should be re-affirmed, promoted and strengthened in the face of concerted political attacks on trans rights.
b. This position must be made clear on every university and college campus and in the wider trade union movement
c. Social media platforms can be positive but also become unsafe and toxic environments for LGBT+ people, especially trans people
d. UCU has duty to critically examine its media / social media engagement and strategies and consider how use impacts LGBT+ members
Congress deplores
1. The continuing transphobia, discrimination bullying of trans and non-binary people.
2. The refusal to use correct names and pronouns and behave with respect, including regrettably sometimes in UCU.
Congress expresses solidarity with all trans and non-binary people worldwide
Congress resolves:
i. To mobilise UK-wide, nationally, regionally and locally for protests, vigils and marches in support of trans and non-binary rights and liberation, e.g., Trans+ Pride London, and local trans prides.
ii. to engage with organisations like Trans Media Watch and LGBT+ members to produce LGBT+ inclusive media, including social media, guidelines for UCU and its members
iii. review media practices within UCU to ensure positive support for LGBT+ people and inclusive practice that does not expose members to toxic online environments
iv. Work with TUC to put pressure on UK government to remove block to Scottish gender recognition reform and introduce similar legislation in the rest of the UK.
v. Produce information and guidance for branches for negotiating policies and procedures to support trans and non-binary people in their institutions.
vi. Identify gaps and produce new information materials for members, including on importance of using correct pronouns and names, and to encourage all members to participate in training on trans and non-binary issues.

Proposing body

Composite (Liverpool John Moores University, LGBT+ members standing committee, National executive committee)

Amended

No

Allocated to

Equality committee

Notes