A motion pushing for a "simplified, free, statutory gender-recognition process based on self-declaration" was passed nem con.
Trade unionists at this year’s Trades Union Congress annual conference unanimously supported a motion to campaign on simpler gender-recognition processes that would make trans lives much easier.
Motion 41 on Support For Gender Self-Declaration was passed in the early afternoon, after string of impassioned speeches from trans workers and their supporters.
So glad that TUC Congress has unanimously backed our trans members, with @FrancesOGrady being clear that trans rights are not at the expense of any other rights. Brilliant speeches from trans members and allies #TUC150 #TUC18 pic.twitter.com/8NGcsQIf9t
— James Anthony (@JamesAnthonyRN) September 11, 2018
It read:
“Congress calls on the government to take note of global best practice on gender recognition and to change the current processes for gender recognition that are lengthy, intrusive, humiliating and not fit for purpose.
“Congress calls on the General Council to campaign for a simplified, free, statutory gender-recognition process based on self-declaration and to support rights for gender non-binary people at work and in wider society.”
Trade unionists and trans rights campaigners in and out of the conference then celebrated the passing of the motion on social media.
Thank you Unison.. I made a speech back in 98 asking for trans people to be included in consideration of discrimination, I’m really happy to see how far we have come in 20 years.. I still have the text of that speech pic.twitter.com/FbXObnSZjC
— Theresa Davis (@helresa) September 11, 2018
We’re delighted to hear this. Well done TUC and especially everyone who campaigned on this important motion.
— Trans Actual (@TransActualUK) September 11, 2018
As a Unite Community Member, I’m proud that the TUC motion 41 was unanimously in favour of Trans Self-ID changes to Gender recognition Act. Thank you Comrades. I leafleted on Sunday but were outnumbered by Transphobes so thanks again #TUC150
— PamCrossland 🌍 (@PamCrossland) September 11, 2018
But while the motion passed nem. con. it was not without controversy.
Some thought the policy would encroach on the rights and safety of cis women in women’s only spaces, or that it would otherwise undermine the struggle against women’s oppression.
The Congress’ next action on the motion are still to be confirmed.
Joana Ramiro is a reporter for Left Foot Forward. You can follow her on Twitter for all sorts of rants here.
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