amicus-lgbt: Charter of LGBT Rights

	amicus-lgbt	For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans members of Unite (Amicus Section)

	Charter of LGBT Rights The Labour government has enacted several very welcome and positive reforms for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people such as equalising the age of consent and adoption rights for same-sex couples. But there is a need for more progressive changes from the government to tackle homophobic and transphobic discrimination in key policy areas. Therefore Amicus resolves to adopt the following points to campaign upon throughout the labour movement for action to be taken by the government and others on every issue in order to meet full equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people To campaign to amend the Charities Act to make equal opportunities for everyone a condition of charitable status. To campaign to amend the Equalities Act to ensure that all public bodies have a legal duty to: Combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Actively tackle homophobic and transphobic prejudice, harassment and violence; Include a general and specific duty to promote equality and bring in positive action in those areas. To eradicate the two-tiered system of partnership law and marriage in order that same-sex and heterosexual people can have a choice of both and amend legislation to enable real choices for trans persons and not force them to annul existing arrangments where both partners want them to continue, or to amend the Marriage Act such that it applies to same-sex relationships with a clause conferring automatic regulation of civil partnerships and removing the requirement for trans people to dissolve marriage to gain a Gender Recognition Certificate. To campaign for a review of legislation and Home Office practice in respect of asylum for LGBT people, to ensure that they are treated fairly in accordance with their specific situation, when they seek leave to remain, and to uphold the principle that they will not be returned to countries where they are likely to be tortured as a result of their sexuality or gender identity. To campaign to bring about legislation which deals with homophobic and transphobic crimes and hate crimes, including laws against incitement to homophobic and transphobic hatred. To campaign to remove the exemption of religious institutions from the legislation, which currently allows discrimination against LGBT employees in any workplace and related workplace activities. To campaign for appropriate sex education and sexual health advice lessons that address the specific need of young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people. To congratulate the Government and Trade Union movement for progressing the regulations provided for in the Equality Act to provide protection from discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the grounds of sexual orientation and undertaling to introduce legislation to provide the same protection for Trans people as required by the European Directive. To campaign for the inclusion of education against homophobia and transphobia in the National Curriculum Education Guidelines, and to promote an understanding and acceptance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. To campaign for NHS fertility treatment for Lesbian women and oppose any legislative or government policy proposals that seek to deny LGBT people's right to a self-determined family. To campaign for appropriate monitoring processes to be enacted in all public authorities to ensure they are delivering an equalities agenda which also includes LGBT people. To campaign for legislative change to retrospectively remove convictions for offences which were only applied to LGB people and have since been removed. To extend Equality Legislation for LGBT people to the private sector. Note: The above charter was presented to the June 2007 Policy Conference of the Amicus Section of Unite, where it was accepted overwhelmingly by the delegates. References: Motion 163, Motions and Amendments document, 2007 Policy Conference Composite 1, Agenda, LGBT Members Conference 2006 Blackpool.
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