2024 is Unison’s Year of LGBT+ Workers and Unison members spoke at an event in Cardiff Bay last week on their experiences of the workplace.
The Member of the Senedd for Delyn, Hannah Blythyn, hosted the event and took the opportunity to reflect both on her own experiences but to also redouble our efforts in continuing to work towards equality.
Speaking at the event, Hannah Blythyn stated:
” You cannot underestimate the difference being able to be yourself at work makes, both to an individual and organisations.
That’s why the role of trade unions like Unison are so important in enabling supportive and inclusive workplaces in communities across the country.
Visibility in public life and in all walks of life and workplaces is important, after all you can’t be what you can’t see and you also need to see yourself as part of something.
I will always be an advocate and an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, whatever role I hold or position I am in.”
Hannah Blythyn, a former trade union officer, paid her own personal tribute to the trade union movement, adding:
“When I was growing up, the shy teenager who struggled with her sexuality could never have imagined that I would one day have the chance to lead on the Welsh Government’s work on LGBTQ+ equality. It was the trade union movement that built my confidence and helped give me my voice and the platform to use it.
We have come a long way in the struggle for equality, but we must always remember that progress is not inevitable; it is won by all of us working together.”
The event underscored both the achievements and the challenges still faced by LGBTQ+ workers in Wales. The UK has fallen from first in 2015 to 17th last year in the ILGA Europe rankings for top LGBT+ friendly countries.
The end of 2023 also saw rises in transphobic and homophobic crimes across the UK, with transphobic hate crimes less likely to be charged or be summoned in court.
Despite these ongoing challenges, Unison branches have begun to run trans ally training session and created 50 new LGBT+ officers across the UK.
Workplaces can use the policy checklist to ensure policies are implemented and work is LGBT+ inclusive. We need to work together to further strengthen the rights of the LGBT+ community.
Pat Jones from Unison Cymru Wales LGBT+ Branch said:
“Cymru/ Wales LGBT+ Self Organised Group were proud to present their experiences at the event sponsored by Hannah Blythyn.
Hannah has been a friend and a great support to all LGBT+ members in Unison and is a fantastic advocate for our community.”
