Unison

[Namechange9382]

Name change due to general paranoia. My girlfriend is a member of Unison and subscribes to their LGBT newsletter. She’s concerned (well, thoroughly pissed off!) about their stance on the GRA and dismissal of women’s concerns ( see page 3 of this for a recent example www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2017/11/24736.pdf ).

I’m just wondering if this is definitely Unison’s overall position on this (ie not just the LGBT group) – and, if anyone else is a member of Unison, what (if anything) you have done or do you plan to do about it? She is thinking of writing to them about it but I think it would be very risky to do so as they have her full contact details, home address and employment details. (To be clear, I don’t think that Unison as an organisation would harass and threaten its members and try to get them sacked but, because she is part of the LGBT section, the transactivists will have all her details as well and, after the recent threats to misuse the contact details of female Labour members, I think she should be cautious). Obviously, it’s up to her but I’m just wondering how others have responded to this?

[Thermostatpolice]

I don't know whether this is Unison's overall position. But that document is very concerning.

Bumping in case someone else has advice.

[OlennasWimple]

Urgh.

"There are individual and
organised campaigns against gender self-declaration.
Sadly, this includes an organised campaign from within
parts of the Labour movement. Model motions are
circulating for constituency Labour Party meetings, with
the suggestion that these can be easily adapted for
union branch meetings.
To the casual observer, they may appear quite
innocuous. They talk about the importance of womenonly
spaces, something we value greatly, too. What’s
insidious is the juxtaposing of women’s safety with
trans rights, as though trans people are a threat to
women’s safety. What’s beneath it is a denial of the
right of trans people to be themselves. A denial that
they exist."

Urgh, urgh urgh

Sorry, not helpful. I understand your concerns

[MothQuandary]

I’ve had a quick look on their website and can’t find anything to confirm that this is UNISON’s national policy (I can’t find anything that confirms it isn’t, either). UNISON has a number of “self-organised groups” of which LGBT is one. Self-organised groups, as the name suggests, are a law unto themselves: they can make their own decisions which don’t necessarily have to be UNISON national policy. So this could be UNISON LGBT policy without being UNISON policy nationally. I don’t know.

I was talking to a lesbian who is a regular at UNISON LGBT conference and was pretty shocked to find she was unaware of any controversy about the changes the trans lobby are pushing for, in relation to the GRA. I think a lot of people go to conference for the booze and social side rather than the politics, unfortunately!

[Ekphrasis]

Very interesting, thanks morning.

Op I'm afraid I'm not sure but understand your concerns.

[Namechange9382]

Thanks for the responses. There doesn't seem to be a solution, does there? She has decided not to say anything but will probably cancel her membership if this becomes Unison's national policy.

It's infuriating that these people are taken as being the voice of the LGBT community when they do not represent us and we can't even speak out about it.

[Nineteenagain]

Im a member of Unison and most definately will cancel membership if this becomes national policy

[Namechange9382]

Well, I was right to warn her off contacting Unison about it. Unison's transactivists are involved in the Labour Party group compiling and publishing data on women who dare to step out of line. Carola Towle is the main contact person for the LGBT group in Unison so will have access to all her 'pretty contact details' as Madigan would say.

twitter.com/msjenniferjames/status/955251812185059329

[Ekphrasis]

This worries me.

Most of the prior I know in unison are women.

I'm going to post your link on the labour thread if that's ok.

[Ekphrasis]

People

[Ekphrasis]

This one

Labour Against Transphobia Facebook groupwww.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3144285-Labour-Against-Transphobia-Facebook-group

Might be if interest.

[Namechange9382]

Ekphrasis Yes that's fine.

I'm even worried that I emailed my Labour MP about the GRA as Labour will have my name and address and evidence that I have concerns about this legislation (even though I'm not a Labour Party member). But if we can't talk openly and can't raise concerns with those who are supposed to represent us, where does that leave us?

[Weezol]

I haven't felt this 'under siege' for years. I have GRC owning transsexual friends who are horrified by the TRA's behaviour, gay friends are scared too.

I feel like shutting myself away and hoping this will all stop.

[Ekphrasis]

Its sad people feel scared. It shouldn't be the case. I do just for commenting on things.

[Ekphrasis]

It's McCarthyesque . Hopefully data protection will prevail regarding letters to mps.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

I have GRC owning transsexual friends who are horrified by the TRA's behaviour, gay friends are scared too. Me too. SIL has been in touch (most unusual) and is quite scared to continue with her usual gay rights activism. Last week she was asked, in a meeting held by and for gay women who have been sexually assaulted by men, why she wouldn't date a lesbian with a dick!

She was a bit confused, then worked out the person asking was trans. She said she felt like standing up and acting out part of The World According to Garp - pointing and mouthing "Man"

Sadly she refrained, but the response from other within the group was an equally stunned silence! She has no idea if she can keep going to that group now.