GMB campaigns and fights for better rights, pay and conditions for all LGBT+ workers.
Ensuring that equality is at the forefront of everything we do - making work and society a better, safer place for everyone - is part of our core values.
We make sure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans worker voices are heard in the workplace - and within the union too.
Sexual Assault
The TUC reports that around one in five bisexual workers experience sexual assault at work. One in ten respondents reported being seriously sexually assaulted or raped at work. Trans women are even more likely than other women to experience sexual assault and rape at work, with around one third of trans women reporting being sexually assaulted and over one in five experiencing serious sexual assault or rape.
Trans and Non-binary Equality
Our trans and non-binary members report discrimination and harassment at work due to their gender identity. This includes colleagues deliberately calling them by the wrong name and using the wrong pronouns (for example saying ‘she’ and ‘her’ when the member uses ‘he’ and ‘his’, or refusing to use 'they/them'). Language is really important. It’s the way we show and communicate respect to one another.
To get organised on trans and non-binary equality at work, see our toolkit and campaign.
Workwear and Uniforms
Almost a third of non-binary people and one in five trans people don’t feel able to dress in workwear representing their gender expression. Some report being refused to be allowed to wear the uniform that best represents their gender identity. Other LGBT+ people find themselves pressured to wear gendered clothing at work which they would not normally choose to - for example dresses or make-up.
Hate Crime
The least commonly recorded hate crime in 42 of 44 forces – increased by 37% to 2,333 last year. The Home Office figures also recorded a 25% rise in offences linked to sexual orientation (14,491).
Pay and Leadership
A recent YouGov poll of 4,000 staff reported that LGBT+ workers are paid £6,700 per year less than heterosexual workers. Currently, 70 per cent of LGBT+ professionals say they have no senior LGBT+ people at work to look up to - and this is even higher for workers in the manufacturing (82%) and construction (80%) industries.