Our delegation L to R Cleo Lunt, Simon Percelay, Allan Carmen, and Erich Hou-Richards

Every year the TUC hosts a series of equality conferences that supplement the general work of TUC Congress. These conferences focus on supporting the advancement of issues that disproportionally impact minority groups.

The FDA sent a delegation of five members to the TUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference 2024 at Congress House (27-28 June). The FDA’s delegation joined hundreds of delegates from TUC-affiliated unions and our delegates took the opportunity to engage with the wider trade union movement and to share issues and priorities with other unions.

The TUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference was addressed by Maria Exall, Chair of the LGBT+ Workers Committee, Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, Lord Collins of Highbury, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and a minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office, and Matt Wrack, TUC President.

Prior to the conference, the FDA’s lead delegate and member of Executive Committee, Simon Percelay previewed the conference and set out why he wanted to get involved. 

Speaking after the conference, delegate Allan Carmen said:

“Attending TUC LGBT+ Conference for the second time, I was again struck by the range of ongoing and emerging challenges faced by LGBT+ workers today, from the erosion of trans and non-binary inclusion in our workplaces, to the acute risk of Artificial Intelligence encoding LGBT+ disparities into organisational decision-making. Yet, despite these challenges, I was in awe at the practicality and creativity of LGBT+ workers (many of whom are civil or public servants) in addressing these issues collectively. 

“This was exemplified, I think, by the TUC’s recognition of a 2019 FDA motion for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)  to be free on the NHS, which was subsequently and successfully lobbied for by multiple organisations with a real tangible benefit to LGBT+ people’s lives. 

“The conference has inspired me to remain visible in my own identity and I encourage all FDA members to consider what practical steps they can take to improve the working lives of their LGBT+ colleagues.”

FDA delegate, Cleo Lunt, spoke in support of two motions, Motion 8 ‘Oppose LGBT+ prejudice’ and Motion 12 ‘Trans Health Rights’, both of which were carried.

Cleo Lunt speaking to Motion 12

Lunt said:

“I’m not being hyperbolic when I say it was my privilege and honour to attend the TUC LGBT+ conference on behalf of the FDA. This was my first TUC conference, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I guess I thought it would be some good discussions in an LGBT+ friendly space. 

“On the day I was blown away by the kindness, compassion, and the eloquence of the speakers in the room. Being in a space surrounded by people who were invested in and passionate about inclusion – truly intersectional inclusion for everyone – was both humbling and inspiring. 

“I was able to speak to two of the motions that really resonated with me and that I thought I could add value to with my perspective and experience, and that kindness and empathy was extended to me as a speaker, with several people approaching me later on in the day to thank me for my contributions. I was very well supported in the run up to the event, and at the event itself, by FDA Equality Officer Amelia Dowler and lead delegate Simon Percelay, who helped to ensure I got the most I could from the two days. It was an experience I would thoroughly recommend.”

Delegate Erich Hou-Richards added:

“I feel honoured and privileged to join the LGBT+ workers family representing the FDA. It was my first time attending the conference. I received a lot of support and warmth from many union sisters and brothers. As a civil servant, there are some limitations in how I can participate in these conferences. That said, the collective support is our fuel for high quality public service. It is a pleasure to be part of the bigger movement.”

Get involved 

If members want to help shape the union’s equality work, they can apply to be part of the FDA delegation for TUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference and other equality conferences in 2025. Calls for applications will go out to all members in late summer/autumn 2024.