UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Monday, 14 June 2010

Pensions debate and an invite to a wedding!‏

During the local government debate on motion 24 on pension rights for civil partners, conference heard one of the best speeches of conference to date from a delegate from Birmingham. He gave a funny, passionate and moving speech about why it is only right and proper his partner should have full survivor pension rights, not least because his partner has put up with his snoring and untidiness for so long!

In a warm and witty speech he told conference that what he really wanted was to get married to his partner and he said if the law was changed to allow gay marriage everyone at conference was invited to attend!

No one in the conference hall could have failed to have been moved about this real life story from a delegate who delivered his speech with passion and charm.

There's no doubt there have been huge strides made for LGBT equality over the past 10 years, but this motion demonstrated that there is still more important work that remains to be done.