Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Members

The NASUWT marks each year the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) (new window)on 17th May, reaffirming the Union’s unshakable belief that that all human beings are born equal and that by defending the rights of other human beings we help make the world a better place. As a trade union, we have a duty to champion equality, not just at home but around the world, and we will do this tirelessly. We still have a long way to go and that’s why today is so important.

It is a disgrace that in 70 countries it is still a criminal offence to be gay. Men, women and children face systemic harassment, intimidation, violence, ostracism, hate crimes - and in seven countries death – simply because of their sexual orientation. The union is proud of its work across the globe alongside sister unions to fight the disease of homophobia,

The NASUWT is supporting Education International's call for governments to honour the obligations outlined in the UN Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action (UN VDPA, June 1993). 

The Vienna UN World Conference on Human Rights (1993) was a vital step forward in recognising human rights. During the conference, lobbied for by civil society organisations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Right (OHCHR) was created. The OHCHR has since successfully addressed discrimination against LGBT people.

In March 2012, the first formal UN debate on LGBT issues was held at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The UN resolution, “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”, adopted by the Human Rights Council (17 June 2011), commissioned the UN report, “Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity”.  The report, released by the OHCHR, outlines “a pattern of human rights violations… that demands a response”, and says governments have too often overlooked violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

At an international level, the rise in conservatism - and fundamentalism in certain countries - is a matter of concern. Some States, conservative and religious groups are blocking the realisation of human rights for all by making statements that seek to weaken the human rights language enshrined in previous agreements. They have opposed provisions which would have further enhanced the set of measures against gender-based violence and further enshrined sexual and health rights, LGBT rights or migrant rights.

Today, some States seek to manipulate the words of the Vienna Declaration to give them the exact opposite meaning than intended. Instead of the ‘universality’ of human rights, they speak of ‘universally recognised’ human rights, seeking to exclude those they do not recognise.

Additionally, they invoke the principle of ‘non-discrimination’, and then explain why this principle does not apply to LGBT people. Appeals to ‘traditional values’ are increasing, substituting cultural relativism for universal standards.

Social reforms, such as same-sex marriage proposed in Britain and adopted in France, have aroused strong opposition from conservative and religious groups.

All Governments should comply with the obligations in the Declaration as they have been affirmed by the UN as universal, indivisible and consistent with all human rights.

EI calls on all members to defend, and expand, trade union rights, including the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all, including LGBT people. 

LGBT History Month

Each year the month of February is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans History Month (new window), which celebrates the lives and achievements of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) community. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the history of the LGBT movement, its fight for equality and to campaign for an end to discrimination in society and the workplace. LGBT History Month 2013 was dedicated to maths, science and engineering and celebrated the work of Alan Turing, World War Two code breaker and pioneer of computer science. The NASUWT supported a number of events across the country to mark the month. 

Pride Games

The NASUWT sponsors Pride Games (new window). The Games are the largest LGBT sports event in the UK and bring together hundreds of LGBT people and friends to compete and try new sports. Pride Games seeks to encourage open and active participation of the LGBT community in the sporting world and in the wider community, to inform and engage in policy and sports development, and to support the representation of LGBT athletes and LGBT sports in the wider community. During the Olympics the NASUWT sponsored Pride House, which was a space at the Games to celebrate LGBT sporting achievements.

NASUWT and NUT launch historic agreement

Watch video of Chris Keates and Christine Blower (left) speak about signing historic agreement to work together to protect teachers' pay, pensions and conditions

Useful Links

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