Section 28 was introduced in 1988 by the then Conservative Government and prevented schools from engaging in positive and inclusive education around Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual lives and identities. A move that left a long lasting and damaging impact on LGBT+ people in the UK. Following years of campaigning by LGBT+ activists, trade unions and other organisations, the legislation was eventually repealed by subsequent Labour governments in Scotland and across the UK.
Throughout February Usdaw will be celebrating key moments in the struggle for LGBT+ equality, raising awareness of LGBT+ workers’ rights and highlighting the ongoing discrimination they face. Everyone is better off in a union, but the solidarity and collective strength trade union membership gives is particularly important for LGBT+ workers given the isolation and hostility they can face. Joining a union amplifies the voices of LGBT+ workers and is vital to ensure LGBT+ inclusive policies and workplaces.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Section 28 was an appalling and divisive piece of legislation that left teachers and other school staff in fear of doing what they knew and felt to be the right thing. This fear was further exacerbated by some factions of society and the media through misrepresentation, which in turn meant that LGBT+ relationships were simply not discussed or visible in our schools.
“It is important that we celebrate the end of Section 28 with the annual LGBT+ History Month every February. Businesses and other organisations are encouraged to get involved and support the campaign under the banner of: Claiming our past, celebrating our present and creating our future. At a time when the LGBT+ community is experiencing a rise in hate crime we should be listening to, highlighting and celebrating the diverse lived experiences of LGBT+ people.
“Trade union workplace reps are at the forefront of delivering on equality issues for our members. From conversations I have had with reps, I know that they are keen to better understand what it means to be a LGBT+ worker and what practical steps they can take to make workplaces safe and inclusive. Raising awareness, tackling LGBT+ phobia and driving forward change in the workplace is something we do as a movement together. Usdaw campaigns all year round to tackle discrimination, this month we are focussed on standing together with our LGBT+ friends, colleagues and members.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades
www.usdaw.org.uk
Usdaw LGBT+ campaigning: www.usdaw.org.uk/Help-Advice/Equalities/LGBT
Usdaw LGBT+ History Month: www.usdaw.org.uk/Help-Advice/Equalities/LGBT/LGBT-History-Month
LGBT+ History Month: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
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