The Swedish parliament has overwhelmingly voted to allow lesbian and gay couples to adopt, becoming just the fourth European state to grant such rights.

Under the new law, lesbian and gay couples registered in a legal partnership - permitted in Sweden since 1995 - will be able to adopt children both within the country and from abroad.

It was passed by the parliament by 198 votes to 38, with 71 abstentions.

The bill is the product of 18 months of research which showed that lesbian and gay couples are just as capable as their heterosexual counterparts of caring for and rearing a child. Few children are put up for adoption in Sweden itself: in 2000, the figure was just 16.

Sweden joins Denmark, Iceland and the Netherlands in allowing lesbian and gay couples adoption rights. The UK is currently involved in a heated debate over our own Adoption and Children Bill, more details about this is on page six.

The Netherlands does not, however, permit homosexual couples to adopt from abroad, saying it could meet with resistance from countries with children up for adoption and jeopardise the chances of heterosexual Dutch couples.

Although the Swedish bill does allow lesbians and gay men to look abroad, 17 countries surveyed by the Swedish Foreign Ministry said they would refuse lesbians and gays as adoptive parents.

The Swedish Government also proposed allowing lesbians to receive artificial insemination, but the issue has been put on hold until a number of legal loopholes have been cleared up.

A decision is awaited on the case of a man who privately donated his sperm to a lesbian couple, only to find himself pursued for child support money once the couple had split up.

Sweden will have to inform the Council of Europe of its withdrawal from a convention on adoption, which stipulates that only married couples or a single person have the right to adopt.

The law is likely to come into effect early next year.

If you want to look at some of the research around the psychological well-being of children raised in lesbian families by Professor Golombok go to the British Medical Journal’s site - http://www.BMJ.com

Information from BBC on-line

What’s in the Rainbow?

I had always thought that the six colours of our rainbow represented the colours of the flags of the countries of the world, and consequently were symbolic of the diversity of our community.

Last year I read a different perspective on it, each colour having a different meaning.

Red = light

Orange = healing

Yellow = sun

Green = harmony with nature

Blue = art

Purple = spirit

We tried to print this about a year ago but due to a hiccup in computer communication not all the information printed out - so here is the full text as requested.

Adoption and Children Bill 2001

Key Dates….

19 October 2001. The Adoption and Children Bill was introduced into Parliament.

20 May 2002. The Adoption and Children Bill received its Third Reading. Andrew Lansley, Conservative MP, tabled an amendment to exclude same sex couples from adopting. The amendment was defeated by a majority of 127 votes. Four members of the shadow cabinet opposed to the party's position missed the vote.

It will now be debated in the House of Lords.

For more details see the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/adoption

Under current law, only married couples and single people, including lesbians and gays, are allowed to adopt. The new Bill, if passed, will permit same sex and unmarried heterosexual couples to adopt in both names. It is the child who loses the security and stability that having both parents able to represent him or her and to take decisions formally, would afford.

The Fostering Network has welcomed the move towards allowing a broader range of people to adopt. "Unmarried foster carers bring up children over a number of years very successfully, and we would be extremely pleased to see unmarried couples given the same opportunities in adoption," said Sue Gourvish, the organisation's Head of Services.

An estimated 5,000 children are waiting for adoption in the UK. There are a further 50,000 children in UK public care who live with foster carers or in residential homes on a temporary basis, and who will eventually move back with their own families.

Conservative Views of the Bill.. And a Lib Dem response ..

Iain Duncan Smith said he believed it was wrong for unmarried couples to adopt, because statistics showed they were more likely to split up than those who had wed.

"You are dealing here with children who are in severe difficulties," he said.

"They have suffered often emotional problems. They have been in and out of care.

"What you don't want to do is put them in to a home that is very likely to break up and then see them back in care again."

The comments were attacked by Liberal Democrat chair Mark Oaten.

"A party which shows a lack of toleration on issues such as adoption... has a long way to go before it can claim to be the mainstream popular party of British politics," said Mr Oaten.

Are you Black

and Lesbian or Gay ?

National Caucus Meeting

Friday 20th Sep 2002

Are you Disabled

and Lesbian or Gay ?

National Caucus Meeting

Saturday 21st Sep

The Black and Disabled Lesbian and Gay Members’ Caucuses are an ideal opportunity to find out more about the caucuses’ work and to meet and share experiences with others.

These meetings discuss and agree their motions for the Lesbian and Gay Conference at these meetings.

Members also elect their representatives on to the National Lesbian and Gay Committee for the following year.

Both meetings are at the unions head office, Mabledon Place, in London. All expenses are met from National Funds.

Contact the National Lesbian & Gay Officer, Carola Towle on 0207 551 1387 or e-mail her c.towle@unison.co.uk - the text phone number is 0207 388 6204.

2nd Annual Utilities and Transport Lesbian & Gay Members’ Day

If you work in the energy, transport, or water services, or for the Environment Agency then this day is for you! The day will focus on the new legislation that will be introduced by the end of next year to protect lesbian and gay workers. It will also provide an opportunity to discuss what UNISON is doing and can do to protect its lesbian and gay members who work in the utilities and in transport. It is aimed at bringing together members who may be isolated in their workplaces and get them involved.

All costs and expenses are to come from National funds. For more information contact the National Lesbian & Gay Officer, Carola Towle 0207 551 1241 or e-mail her c.towle@unison.co.uk or text phone on 0207 388 6204

Lesbian & Gay Branch Meetings

Birmingham Branch

The confidential helpline is up and running again and is 0121-631 6924. The cross-branch meetings have also re-started so ring Tina or Billy on the above number for meeting details.

Hereford & Worcestershire

Come and join us for an informal meeting. Get support, raise workplace issues and find out more about your union. Please join us regardless of which branch you are a member of in either county. Future meetings are on:

Wednesday 17th July

21st August

18th September

at Worcester County Branch Offices from 6.30 pm.

For further info contact Sandie Smith on 07970 345677 or Mike Adkins 01905 233 (W)

Solihull Local Government Branch

The UNION Solihull Local Government Branch has established a new Self-Organised Identity Group.

Members can get further details from Matt - 0781 508 0861 or Geoff 0797 413 1966 or by e-mail at solihull_lg@hotmail.com.

Stoke-on-Trent

3-00 pm to 5-00 pm at the Piccadilly Centre, 57-59 Piccadilly, S-0-T on the following dates:

17th July

4th September

16th October

27th November

Further information : Martyn Bristow 01782 235147
e-mail martin.bristow@swann.stoke.gov.uk.

As part of the council's Valuing Diversity and Equal Ops policies employees of the City Council can take time off work to attend these meetings. Also we would welcome any other members from different service groups.

Wolverhampton & Black Country

This Branch group welcomes lesbian and gay members from other Black Country Branches.

Monday 15th July

23rd September

11th November

From 6 pm at Briefing Room 2, in the Civic Centre, Wolverhampton

For further info contact Sally Clayton on 01902 556324 or Bob Deacon on 01902 552486

If there are any other branch groups operating let us know and we’ll publish your dates.

Whatever happened to the motions from Lesbian & Gay Conference 2001 that were submitted to Service Group and National Delegates Conference 2002?

Here’s where you can find out….

“Up to Our Necks in It” The Water Conference

The Water Conference took place on Sunday 16^th June at the conference centre. This year the arrangements were slightly different. The conference commenced at 10.00 with a panel discussion and a debate entitled “The Water Industry, a Sustainable Environment and the Prospects for a New Water Act.” After this the conference began in earnest.

There were a total of nine motions on the agenda including the two submitted by the Lesbian and Gay Conference.

Motion 8, Stress at Work concerned the additional stresses placed on lesbians and gay men through being harassed at work.

Motion 9, Agency Personnel dealt with the additional insecurities faced by lesbian and gay agency workers as well as calling upon the executive to seek an end to the long term use of agency staff instead of permanent staff.

Our motions were moved by Andrew Woodman, NLGC Co-chair. There were some very good debates. Such is a measure of the progress and profile that we now have in Water and Environment Service Group that members of the executive as well as delegates from the floor spoke in favour of our motions.

Several people, including Andrew, plugged the second annual Utilities and Transport Lesbian and Gay Members day which takes place in London on Saturday 12^th October 2002.

All motions were passed and some of ours were passed unanimously.

Local Government Conference

This year, Conference was held over two days giving more opportunity for debate and the highest profile eve for issues of relevance to lesbians and gay men. Lesbian and Gay Conference Delegates were Louise Ashworth and Bob Deacon.

Louise Ashworth spoke in support of a motion on Procurement and Bargaining, highlighting developments in equalities and new provisions in amended powers to Part II of the Local Government Act 1988. She warned Conference about the dangers of EC directives which try to loosen requirements to enable open competition. Louise used the opportunity to promote the public services agenda for lesbians and gay men. Jean Murray, Salford Branch, highlighted how some of the EC procurement rules are in conflict with UK rules. An amendment was carried which calls for the revision of the EC rules so they do not hinder progress on social inclusion, community regeneration and other initiatives for the social good.

Louise moved the motion from Lesbian and Gay Conference on Maternity and Parental Rights and Dependant Leave which had been composited. She welcomed the NJC negotiations which have produced guidance but warned that employers were not forced to adopt these provisions and could use the less favourable fallback scheme. She highlighted some of the difficulties lesbians and gay men have in getting recognition of parenting responsibility. W e need to take a modern approach to our modern families, with paid leave and the abolition of the service requirement. Louise also referred to the new draft parental leave regulations and the term ‘enduring relationship’ which literally means ‘bear hardship patiently’ something for the pay claim! She cautioned against using the term paternity leave, expressing a preference for the more inclusive term maternity support leave. The motion was seconded by one of the Womens’ Committee delegates who spoke about the work life balance and the need for flexible hours for those with family responsibilities.

Bob Deacon moved motion 36 Lesbian and Gay Workers in Local Government - Fair Communication and Accountability. He defined what the motion stated (or in some cases did not state) in respect of accountability, reserved seats and fair representation. Bob spoke about the delay in producing guidance on the Criminal Records Bureau, despite a motion submitted to Local Government Conference two years ago. Bob’s banter caused an unexpected retaliation from the Chair of Local Government Service Group Executive who said that the SGE had withdrawn their amendment on the understanding that the motion was not an attack on the SGE. The SGE listed their achievements in negotiations on lesbian and gay issues such as family friendly policies and worklife balance. The NLGC co-chair was forced to take the podium and say that the lesbian and gay self-organised group is fully aware of the joint achievements and is appreciative of the work carried out by the SGE. However, she said that the issues raised by Bob are indicative of the frustrations of many lesbian and gay members who are concerned over the lack of progress in lesbian and gay equality.

Louise Ashworth spoke in support of Motion 51 which called for a continued campaign against stock transfer. The motion was successfully amended with a call to work with tenants’ groups and the Defend Council Housing Campaign. Louise drew attention to the fact that that private and social landlords are not currently bound to provide equality for lesbians and gay men. There is no statutory right for lesbians and gay men to succeed to a council tenancy of their same sex partner or to be considered as a member of the tenant’s family for the right to buy. Though local councils have come a long way under pressure from the Local Government Association, UNISON and other housing related organisations, to include provisions for lesbians and gay men. The track record of other landlords is not as impressive.

Energy Conference

Motions on Agency Personnel and Stress were carried.

National Delegates Conference

The motion on Lesbian and Gay Partnerships was carried. Enduring Powers of Attorney wasn’t reached so in effect is remitted to the NEC.

Health Conference Report

As soon as the Conference opened, it was business straightaway with equal opportunities motions first on the agenda. Our motions on Parental and Dependent Care and Organising Lesbian and Gay Members in Health Care were both carried unopposed.

Sadly we are unclear about the Police Support Staff Conference motion results.

Higher Education Conference is later in the year

Oscar’s Column

Summer is here and it is time for me to share some more top tips with you humans. This time I am giving advice in being comfortable during the hot days.

R Drink lots of water.

R Make sure you brush your fur, err I mean hair, once each day.

R If you feel too hot, sprawl out on cool concrete or in long grass, whichever is nearest.

R Do not run around for too long in the heat or you will moult too much

And most importantly ...

R Pick a hot day and take your annual bath.

Enjoy your summer - I’ll be back with more tips next time.

National Lesbian and Gay Conference 2002

ce 2001

When & Where?

22-24 November 2002, Plymouth

Who can go?

Branches generally send a set number of delegates, if two delegates then it will either be two women or a man and a woman. (This is to ensure that our union, where members are predominantly women, doesn’t end up with women under-represented at conferences). Larger Branches have more delegates.

How much will it cost me?

Nothing! Your travel costs, hotel expenses, and a food allowance will all be met by the union, as well as dependant care costs and child care costs if relevant.

How can I get to go?

Apply at your Branch Lesbian and Gay Group or, if there isn’t one, apply at your Branch.

I am not out in my workplace or Branch - can I still go?

Yep, no problem. Get an application form, and then contact Anita Whitington, details on the back page, and she’ll help you apply, without your Branch knowing who you are.

My Branch says that we don’t send people to Self-Organised Conferences!

Don’t listen to this nonsense!! They have a duty under the Rule book, get in touch with us and we will try our best to support you in obtaining funding from your Branch.

Where do I get a Conference application form?

Your branch or contact Conference Department, at UNISON Headquarters, Mabledon Place on 0207-387 4902.

A Big Thanks, Frank

Frank Woodcock has been the man at the end of the phone supporting many lesbian and gay members as well as the L&G Committee. We would like to thank him for his hard work and support over the years.

Of course the most pressing question is, when is the next regional L&G group meeting ? !

Saturday, 20th July, at 24 Livery Street, Birmingham

Lunch is provided free and transport costs and/or parking reimbursed

From 10.30-11.30 committee members

11.30-12.30 how to write a conference motion

1.15-2.45 discussion on proposed motions

to lesbian & gay conference

2.45-3.30 issues around branch funding of

Delegates and AOB

A great way to find out more about L&G conference

How to get in touch….

If you have any questions about access or any other issue please phone our new regional officer, Anita Whitington or e-mail either of us. Anita will pass your message on should you choose to write or phone.

Gerry Want, L&G Convenor

UNISON Regional Office

24 Livery Street
Birmingham
B3 2P

Tel – 0121-685 3158 (Anita’s direct line)

Tel - 0121-449 7284 (Gerry )

E-mail Anita at a.whitington@unison.co.uk

or Gerry on grw9157@aol.co.uk