Today, union members held the first ever meeting of the new Fórsa LGBTQIA+ network. The network was born from a motion brought to the Biennial conference in May by activist Rob Partridge. It will work to support all members and staff who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I’m beyond proud to have held the first ever meeting of Fórsa’s LGBTQIA+ network today. LGBTQIA+ rights are workers’ rights, and trade unions have always been at the heart of fighting for better conditions and protections for all workers,” said Rob.
“What this network aims to do is to make sure our voices are heard. And to build on the power of our union with its 89,000 members, to make sure our employers hear us too.”
Survey of Members
A survey of members pointed to the ongoing and ever-increasing need for a network like this.
53% said they had experienced direct harassment as a result of their LGBTQIA+ identity, including: Verbal (52%), Physical (18%), Sexual (6%), Online trolling (18%), and Doxing (2%).
79% have also experienced discrimination in the workplace because of their LGBTQIA+ identity.
But even since the motion on the network was passed at the Biennial conference in 2024, our community has become even more of a target for those intent on creating hate and division. Rob spoke on how this network was an integral part of combatting this.
“Our community is very publicly under attack in the western world as we speak; it is a dark time for us. To see such solidarity is a much-needed reminder that our strength has always come from each other.”
“Societies target us at different times in different ways, but we always come through it as a community. They’re not going to win this time either. We are.”
Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.