\u201cThis union has a proud tradition of standing against inequality. Supporting the rights of trans-people is no different. It\u2019s simply the next step\u201d said Gerard Wilkie (Edinburgh and Council).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the recent Supreme Court decision, Gerard Wilkie (Edinburgh and Council) successfully moved an emergency motion in the name of Council on trans-rights, calling for clarity, campaigning and respect for basic human rights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referencing the uncertainty around implementation of the decision in the context of the legal and policy framework underpinning Scottish education, he highlighted the increased vulnerability of transgender young people and adults in our schools and the imperative for clear guidance from the Scottish Government to support schools and colleges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Wilkie raised further concerns about the misinformation and disinformation which is leading to a growing backlash against the delivery of LGBT inclusive education in Scotland\u2019s schools and the need to campaign to counter this narrative. Urging delegates to support the motion and demonstrate that Scottish education will \u201cnot flinch\u201d in the face of inequality, he called on AGM to \u201cvote for inclusion, vote for clarity and vote for dignity for all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seconding the motion, Christina Fleming (Dundee and Council) highlighted the need for more work to be done to ensure that LGBT inclusive education was rolled out fully across the education system. She highlighted that the motion was about \u201cdignity for learners and for colleagues\u201d and reiterated the importance of everyone being treated equally. In concluding her contribution, Ms Fleming quoted from the Little Prince, reminding delegates, \u201cIt is only in the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speakers lined up in support of the motion, providing moving testimonies which centred on the lived experiences of this minoritised group. Scott Whitefield (Scottish Borders and Council) highlighted the emergency facing transgender, non-binary and intersex staff and learners, and the need for urgent action to address the uncertainty and legal confusion surrounding the protection of their rights. Calling on delegates \u201cto stand up for trans people\u201d, Natasha York (Scottish Borders and Council) said, \u201cIt\u2019s about justice and human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nicola Fisher (Glasgow and Council) firmly placed this motion at the heart of the equality agenda, reminding delegates that \u201cTrans-rights are a trade union issue\u201d and of the duty to support trans colleagues who face increased vulnerability in the face of the rise of the far right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking in support of the motion, Graham Malcolm (Edinburgh) acknowledged the importance of AGM sending a message of \u201csupport and love\u201d to transgender, non-binary and intersex learners, many of whom will be feeling scared and isolated at this time. Amanda Murray (Aberdeen City) reiterated this point, highlighting that isolation is painful; stigmatisation is life-threatening; and \u2018outing\u2019 people \u2013 inadvertently or otherwise \u2013 is dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adorned in a rainbow garland, Julie Chrystal (Fife and Council) received a standing ovation as she delivered a moving and impassioned plea for support of the motion. Reflecting on the exclusion and isolation which the LGBT community has faced in the past, she left delegates in no doubt that \u201csilence is compliance\u201d and finished with a rallying call to \u201ccampaign, campaign, campaign\u201d.The motion was overwhelmingly carried.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThis union has a proud tradition of standing against inequality. Supporting the rights of trans-people is no different. It\u2019s simply the next step\u201d said Gerard Wilkie (Edinburgh and Council). Following the recent Supreme Court decision, Gerard Wilkie (Edinburgh and Council) successfully moved an emergency motion in the name of Council on trans-rights, calling for clarity, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2821,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2686"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2843,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2686\/revisions\/2843"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sej.org.uk\/agm2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}