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Women’s Conference 2018 – Liverpool – Non-Binary Inclusion

Reported by -Becky Everett – Derby City Branch Delegate

Non-Binary Inclusion

Conference welcome the work  initiated by UNISONS LGBT group to begin to make UNISONS organisation, events, policies, systems and good practice advice inclusive of non-binary members.

Conference is concerned about scare-mongering media’s coverage of some organisations’ moves towards non binary inclusion. This coverage has suggested that non-binary inclusion represents an attempt to ‘do away’ with gender or that it undermines work to tackle sexism and build women’s equality. Conference is mindful that much of this scaremongering has come from people with no track record in fighting for women’s rights.

Non-Binary people are people whose gender identity is not solely male or female. They may define themselves as both, neither or something different. While non-binary people are of all ages and as diverse as any other cross section of society, increasing numbers of young people in particular are identifying outside traditional binary gender norms.

Conference called for the National women’s Committee to:

1)    Raise awareness within the self-organised group, including branch and regional women’s groups, of steps to build non-binary inclusion in UNISON, including promoting the UNISON factsheet on this subject ‘Gender equality; non-binary inclusion’;

2)    Dispel any myths of a conflict between non-binary inclusion and women’s equality;

3)    Work with LGBT committee to co-ordinate work on tackling gender stereotyping;

4)    Consider ways to support the national LGBT committee in furthering non-binary inclusion in UNISON and in the workplace.

In my opinion, people felt confused over what non-binary actually meant and from conversations we had with other delegates it was felt that we needed more information. Delegates thought that a non-binary person would swap and change how they present themselves, however during the speakers it was confirmed that non-binary people would identify as neither male nor female, And wouldn’t want to claim male only or female only seats on any SOG group.

This motion was carried.

More Information about the Non-Binary Gender can be found in the Video and Article below

 

 

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