Against bigotry and oppression - take action today

Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-21039-f0.cfm).



Though it may be three decades since equality pioneers in local government were derided as the "loony left" - and since the rainbow flag first flew from Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton - bigotry still blights the lives of LGBT people.



Opponents of equality have drawn battle lines on the issue of equal marriage - which makes UNISON's clear cut policy on this question all the more important (http://www.unison.org.uk/conference2011/news_view.asp?did=6986).



UNISON is implementing our Conference policy by encouraging members, branches and Regions to respond to the Government consultation on equal civil marriage to support equality (http://www.unison.org.uk/out/pages_view.asp?did=14278).



You can read UNISON's national response at http://www.unison.org.uk/file/Equal%20marriage%20consultation%20-%20UNISON%20response.pdf and get details of the consultation itself at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/.



Please take some time to respond to this consultation to speak up for equality as you can be sure the bigots are mobilising. It's about much more than the right to get married (an issue about which many trade union activists can't get that worked up). It's about equality before the law and ensuring equal rights.



It is in the interests of all workers that our trade unions confront and oppose inequality and oppression as the unity we need cannot be built on the basis of inequality and injustice.



Today would be a good day to do something about this.

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