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LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER CONFERENCE


Twerto
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Often they are not though and I think that is why they have a self organised group, and the LGBT title generally.

 

I don't think forming your own group within UNISON, and accepting expenses to trips away, is a positive step towards being treated the same as everyone else.

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Often they are not though and I think that is why they have a self organised group, and the LGBT title generally.

 

I quite agree with that. If these people were treated the same as the rest of society, there would be no need to have this conference in the first place. The fact that society throws up particular problems means that they do need particular help with these problems.

 

Not really dis-similar to living in shetland throws up particular problems regarding cost of travel, but I dont hear of any UNISON members from the central belt complaining that they are having to subsidise travel and subsistence costs for Shetlanders travelling to regular conferences.

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I include in my group of friends, a large number of gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals, including two that have had sex changes! 8O

 

The very fact that you take that holier than thou attitude is exactly why these individuals are considered so different and become isolated. If they are included in the general humour and fun of normal life, and I'm not talking mocking people here, they are actually included in the "normal" group of people and there are no issues, as there is no separation.

 

It is only as soon as the group starts separating or specifically identifying itself as different, that the divisions become apparent, and start growing from that point on - if you create a division, anyone can use it for whatever purpose motivates them.

 

The politically correct form of treating anyone who is out of the norms of society as requiring special treatment, are precisely where they go wrong and result in isolation of the group. While anyone is fully entitled to have any meeting or join any group they desire, you may notice that any number of the posters on this board actually have a sense of humour, and include anyone and everything in it!

 

We pick on everyone equally! 8)

 

Totally agree with Muppet there - simultaneous posting.

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I run the risk of getting ripped to shreds here, but this is not meant to be 'inflammatory', it is a serious question;

 

What would be the response if UNISON were to stage a "Men Only" conference, with travel funding etc., to suit?

 

It has become commonplace in our politically correct society to accept that Homosexual and Transgender people have their own distinct issues in the workplace (do they really?) and women have issues regarding childbirth and historical discrimination, and ethnic minorities have suffered workplace racism, but here's a thought for you.

 

An organisation such as UNISON could/should be at the forefront of redressing gender balances for men too. How about some conference subjects:

    Re-negotiating male T&C's to allow equal paternity leave to current maternity leave? (steps have been taken on this, i'm sure)
    Promotion of Jobshare for male parents.
    Pressures of being sole bread-winner for family (less common nowadays, but still very present)
    Pressures of male 'bravado' and isolation in the workplace, (Support groups? Non-existent for males)

etc.

 

If you understand what i'm getting at here, has it become a taboo subject for men to have weaknesses/faults/pressures of their own nowadays or is this 'not allowed' or just non-existant? I'm not meaning to drag this into melodrama, but as an example, we all heard that shetland had a high suicide rate recently, but note, more male than female.

 

So is it allowed to say "men only" for a UNISON conference? What think ye?

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That may be the case in certain circles but i would uphold Twerto's statement that his initial post was querying positive discrimination, regarding the travel funding for the conference in question.

The vast majority of people i know truly do not acknowledge any social difference between homo/heterosexuality. Those that do tend to wear fair isle and swear a lot. :wink:

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I agree with twerto, but i have allways though no two people are equal, but if thats the rules then how come its not across the board? Everyone sees the MOBOS but imagine the uproar if it was just music of white origin?

 

If people want use to be equal then it has to cut both way.

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I would love to know why so many Shetlanders start hyperventilating when they see the word 'gay'.

 

A little overstated I think Brian.

 

Maybe it's just a reaction to the PC Brigade trying to 'legislate' them into a particular way of thinking.

 

Positive discrimination just creates resentment and, in my opinion, has never been and never will be the way to tackle certain 'diversities' in society.

 

Just treat people as individuals and take them at face value, accept them for what they are.

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