LGBT+ CONFERENCE JUNE 2026

Angela Montgomery, Assistant General Secretary, reports on the TUC LGBT+ conference

The POA sent a delegation of seven, including our Chair, demonstrating our commitment to supporting our members from the LGBT+ community. The delegation was enthusiastic and spoke to a motion with Ray Dowling seconding Motion 15: Future proofing the UK for equality and human rights. Below, Ray and our other delegates tell of their conference experience.

RAY DOWLING – PECCS

“I seconded Motion 15, especially on point two, calling on the UK government for a public recommitment to the European Convention on Human Rights. This motion was brought by UCU, and seconded by myself on behalf of the POA because I believe that, despite a potential variety of opinions on many other motions, Motion 15 sat as an essential underpinning for everything the conference sought to achieve.

“I reasoned that without a public recommitment (not just in aspiration, but also legislation) to the ECHR, the UK risks falling out of step with the rest of Europe in the maintenance of equality for all. Furthermore, while the Windsor Framework in Northern Ireland provides some protections in terms of regulatory alignment with Europe, this does not apply to Great Britain and therefore opens the risk of a disparity in equality legislation within constituent regions of the UK itself.

“Since Brexit, the UK has dropped on equality indices by a number of points. In 2015, the UK ranked first on the ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) equality index and now sits in 22nd place. It is reasonable to consider that only through a recommitment to the ECHR can this trend be corrected. The motion was carried.” IZZY BAYES – HMP AYLESBURY

“I spoke to the (emergency) motion that won out to oppose the recent EHRC Code of Practice. For those not aware, it has made some truly ill thought-out, unenforceable and segregationist policy suggestions for trans people in public spaces.

“As with last year, the conference was a truly fantastic time. A lot of the news, a lot of the media, feels like a swarm of overwhelming negativity – but here it felt like the direction of travel is the other way, and that’s something truly valuable to me.”

KERRI MITCHELL – STANDFORD HILL

“What an eye opener! This was my first conference and to be honest I was confused for the first couple of hours. Voting for this motion, discussing another – it was a whirl of procedure and discussion and real-life experiences. Did you know there is a Sex Workers Union? No, nor did I. But then it is the oldest profession, so why shouldn’t sex workers have a union to voice their concerns and issues? Brilliant.

“The conference, as you can imagine, was dominated by the recent EHRC guidance for transgender people. As a member of that crowd, I was really encouraged to hear such heartfelt support from all attendees! It made me realise the fight is not yet over. Maybe it has only just begun. Since that biased and hurtful Supreme Court ruling, I have felt very lonely. I have taken it very personally. How can people make decisions about me when they have no idea of how it feels? These same people who only took representations from the anti-trans brigade – corruption at its highest. But here, in Brighton for the first time in over a year, I didn’t feel alone. I felt like I belonged. The hurt wasn’t personal, it was shared with trans and non-trans individuals alike.

“The conference opened my eyes to how many different issues the LGBT+ community face. Each is important to that group and then that will cross into another group, so every issue is interlinked. When it comes down to it, we all want the same thing, to be treated fairly and equally. It doesn’t sound difficult, but I am sure the finish line for all of us is located somewhere at the top of Everest.

“The standout memory is that of solidarity. I hope our new Prime Minister will see this and start listening. The funniest memory was asking a young lady outside the conference at the start of the second day was which union she was with? She replied, the Sex Workers Union. It only crossed my mind about a week later what she did for a living!”

SACHA DILKES – HMP EXETER

“I spoke in support of composite Motion 2. My reasoning is to support people to receive dignity at work and to make it a reality for every single person.

“LGBT+ people still receive discrimination, bullying, harassment and exclusion. No-one should face discrimination for who they are or who they love. I want to see people calling out bullying when we see it. Not tomorrow, not quietly, but now. I want to see strong policies, not just written but actively enforced.

“I want to see employers accountable for creating cultures where inclusion isn’t optional, but standard.” l