UNISON SCOTLAND LESBIAN AND GAY COMMITTEE REPORT

As the 26th ILGA-European Conference began in Budapest (Hungary), it was in the shadows of political urgency on the European Union's stage. The Conference theme, dubbed ‘Coming out to the EU' seemed all the more appropriate. All eyes were on Brussels to see whether or not the historic opposition of the European Parliament to Commissioner Designate Buttiglione would force Barrosso to change his mind. The Parliament's opposition rested on the bias Buttiglione intended to exercise in his post.

The Parliament's affirmations that these intentions were incompatible with the post he was being nominated for proved enough for Barrosso to withdraw his planned Commission.

The decision was a triumph for the aspirations of equality for all, a triumph for a Europe where all minorities are worthy of equal treatment.

It is in this context that ILGA-Europe, in cooperation with host organisation Háttér Support Society for LGBT People, opened its Conference in order to discuss a wide range of issues close to the hearts of ILGA-Europe's members.

ILGA-Europe, the European Region of ILGA, the International Lesbian and Gay Association, is part of a network that unites more than 350 organisations throughout the world. The ILGA-European Conference is an opportunity for LGBT activists from all over Europe to meet with one another and exchange ideas and experiences. The Conference is also an annual ‘general meeting' of ILGA members in the European region whereby large elements of the work programme of ILGA-Europe is put under review. This year, participants were able to share their experiences, discussing such things as the implementation of the EU employment directive, the UN Brazilian Resolution, the fundraising and organising of Eastern European LGBT movement, and much more.

A large number of new participants attended their first ever ILGA-European Conference. Many of these new participants came from Eastern Europe, offering a new set of challenges for ILGA Europe's members. These first time participants were able to enrich us with their experiences. We hope that they likewise had an opportunity to share skills and information with their peers.

ILGA Europe was able to welcome this year a much larger number of East European participants and this provided strength to the Eastern European voice. Issues of importance to our East European colleagues were discussed in a number of workshops, and several informal open-space sessions focused on the pressing matters of concern to the East European LGBT movement.

This Conference saw a record number of participants attracted to the ILGA-European conference. 221 participants representing 40 different countries were present at the Conference held in the European Youth Centre in Budapest. A packed schedule of no less than 26 workshops was offered, and with them came a series of plenaries, caucuses, and informal open space sessions. Scholarships to attend the conference were granted to a large number of participants - 68 of them in total.

ILGA-Europe was able to welcome a series of speakers including those from the Hungarian and Dutch governments. Some, like Joke Swiebel (former member of the European Parliament, and former chair of the EP Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian rights), reminded us that while we had scored a major victory in the Buttiglione affair, there still remained much work to be done. Work such as highlighting the problems of the ‘hierarchy of discriminations,' and the EU's credibility gap when it concludes association agreements with countries notorious for their persecution of LGBT people.

Trade Union Activity

A particular highlight of the Conference was hosting a meeting of Trade Union delegates and agreeing that we should continue to work to develop informal and formal links with trade unions throughout the EU. In some of the countries represented Trade Unionists face similar discrimination as the Lesbian and Gay Community.

UNISON led a well-attended and lively workshop at the conference on organising in trade unions for LGBT workers rights. This year, we organised the workshop in partnership with our sister union in Hungary, where the conference was held. This provided a very interesting case study - two public service unions, both committed to LGBT rights, but one with many years of experience and one just starting out. We look forward to future work with our sister unions.

The Hungarian Democratic Union of Health and Social Workers showed much hospitality to UNISON delegates and invited our delegation to a traditional Hungarian restaurant where we were fed and watered. Thanks must be given to Klara Gode for the kindness and hospitality she offered on behalf of her trade union.

Informal fringe meetings were held throughout the conference for trade unionists to meet and exchange experiences and information. There was much interest in the Scottish and Northern Ireland perspective following on from the creation of The Scottish Parliament and our country's new constitution and in the legislation in Northern Ireland in relation to statutory duties. The new EU member states have continued to develop a working relationship with trade union brothers and sisters in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

UNISON Scotland was one of four UNISON regions represented at ILGA Europe Conference.

The Scottish Lesbian and Gay Committee seeks Council's approval for the following

1. Council notes the report of the Scottish and Lesbian and Gay Committee
2. Council agrees to UNISON Scotland's continued membership of ILGA Europe
3. Council agrees to the SLGC's participation at the 2005 Conference and notes that detail of participation will be brought to the next meeting of Council
4. Council agrees that the Scottish Secretary write to our sister trade union in Hungary thanking them for the hospitality offered to our delegates.

Raymond Brown/Maggie Murphy, Co- Convenors
Neil MacInnes, Secretary