Eighteen UNISON members from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) sections of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland met in Belfast for a weekend workshop from 20th- 22nd March 2009. The focus of the weekend was on the impact of homophobia and heterosexism on the emotional and mental health of the UNISON membership and on the isolation of rural LGBT people. Homophobia is an active hatred of Lesbian Gay Bisexual or Transgender people whereas heterosexism is working on the assumption that everyone is heterosexual. Politicians who make offensive public statements, such as the DUP's Iris Robinson of late, about LGBT people are examples of homophobia whereas the assumption that lesbian women do not have children is heterosexism and results in health facilities that exclude the rights and needs of lesbian women and their families.
Some members also reported problems in “coming out” to their local GP who may also be their family doctor – LGBT people in rural areas may have to travel up to 60 miles to access sexual health services. Heterosexism and homophobia damage the self esteem leaving people with less support to tackle the everyday stresses in life and at work.
The weekend was very successful with participants citing the usefulness of being able to talk about LGBT issues outside of the pressure of branch work. Making changes at branch level to acknowledge and include LGBT members was also suggested. A number of practical steps are now being taken by members in attendance to ensure that the ideas adn opinions aired at the workshops would be acted upon by the UNION and in wider society.