ACTU takes up gay and lesbian issues

By Frank Barnes

History was made at the ACTU National Congress held in Wollongong from June 26 to 29, when for the first time there was an official gay and lesbian caucus held as part of the conference.

This meant official gay and lesbian workers were given recognition by the ACTU and its members. This is enormously significant given the ACTU is dominated by right-wing middle-aged men who are traditionally somewhat homophobic. Congress showed there has been some positive change in attitudes and carried two significant resolutions without dissent. The first gave support for equal superannuation rights for gay and lesbian couples and the second achieved endorsement and support for an international conference for homosexual trade unionists to be held in Sydney in 2002 to coincide with the Gay Gaymes.

The fact gay and lesbian issues were specifically mentioned three times at the conferences was significant. The fact there was no dissent at any time was even more significant and further the number of people who congratulated me after my speech supporting equity in superannuation rights is more significant again.

If nothing else happened there was some consciousness raising. I opened my speech by stating: "I am a worker, I am a trade unionist, I am gay and I am being discriminated against." We have come a long way and we must celebrate the fact that we have done so but it is of some concern that it has taken until 2000 for the needs of gay and lesbian workers to be addressed openly by the ACTU.

As a postscript it is interesting both the ABC and SBS last week had programs on gay bashings and homophobia. The Illawarra Mercury even did a very positive article on superannuation rights for gay and lesbian workers. The battles continue.

Frank Barnes is the convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Special Interest Group and was a delegate to the ACTU Congress

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