NATFHE Branch Resources : Organising for LGBT equality

NATFHE campaigns for full equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans lecturers. We do so because society continues to discriminate on the grounds of people's sexuality. Although new laws make it illegal to discriminate at work, harassment still occurs inside the workplace and on the streets. This toolkit is designed to give branch activists the tools they need to campaign for equality.

Organising for Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Trans Equality (Word doc) describes the state of the law and the national agreements that exist.

The most important document is NATFHE's policy statement, Lesbian and Gay Rights at Work: An Issue for NATFHE branches (PDF file). This paper includes advice on representation, on using the law and on bargaining arguments that can be used in branches.

Law
On 1 December 2003, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations came into force. It is now unlawful to discriminate against workers because of sexual orientation.

Agreements & model policies
FE - Joint Agreement on Guidance for Sexual Orientation Equality in Employment (Word doc)

HE - Joint Policy Statement on equality for LGBT staff and students (Word doc), model policy agreed between the HE unions: ATL , AUT and NATFHE.

NATFHE's Model Policy on Gender Recognition (Word doc) provides a blueprint for developing an agreement on the treatment of trans staff and students.

Other useful documents:
Human Values Not Family Values (PDF file) gives advice to lecturers who are dealing with these issues in class.

NATFHE response to Civil Partnerships - a Framework for the Legal Recognition of Same-sex Couples

Equal Opportunities and the Curriculum (PDF file) connects our opposition to family values to our more general opposition to racism, sexism, and all forms of discrimination.

LINKS & ONLINE RESOURCES

Employing Transsexual People in Higher Education
Equality Challenge Unit guide

The Knitting Circle
A treasury of equality documents from the Lesbian and Gay Staff Association at London South Bank University.

Monitoring LGBT Workers
A TUC guide for trade unions

National AIDS Trust

Outrage
Queer rights direct action group.

Press for Change
Advice and campaigns on trans issues

Schools Out
Support network for all lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transpersons in education.

Guide to regulations on sexual orientation, religion or belief An Equality Challenge Unit guide to the regulations containing model policies and FAQ's.

Sexual Orientation and the Workplace
ACAS guide on putting the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 into practice

Stonewall

Terence Higgins Trust
HIV & AIDS charity

Yourrights
Liberty's online guide to human rights law for England and Wales.

More useful links on Equality links and resources page

NATFHE toolkits provide advice for branches and links to other sources of information. Anyone seeking specific advice in respect of the issues covered by this toolkit should consult their branch officers in the first instance, who in turn may need to take advice from NATFHE regional officials. Important time limits often apply; for further information about these or if you are seeking to pursue a legal claim on the issues covered in this toolkit, you should not rely on the toolkit alone but should seek additional advice from the union.