UCU: LGBT equality under the law

Motion

Motion text: UCU Annual Congress condemns the failure of the recent 'Goods & Services' sexual orientation anti-discrimination legislation to provide the following:
1) protection of any kind for Transgender people;
2) anti-harassment provision for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people–such as the provision contained in the equivalent Northern Ireland legislation;
3) prohibition on teachers in the classroom negatively characterizing LGBT people, identity & lifestyle. The new law specifically includes an exemption that allows teachers to express their opinion on LGBT issues without significant restriction. All negative characterizations by teachers of LGBT people, identity & lifestyle should be outlawed and classified as an act of discrimination and an incitement to hatred based on sexual orientation;
UCU profoundly regrets that the TUC did not prevent the three failures in the law described above. UCU agrees to actively lobby the TUC and the Government until such time as these three failures are fully redressed.