Re: Draft Gender Equality SchemeDear All,
My understanding is that the duty applies to males, females and transsexuals only and therefore we have not specifically included transgender or LGB within the scheme - sex and gender definitions are listed in an appendix. On consultation we understand that the preferred term is trans person and not transsexual and so although the code of practice refers to transsexuals we use the terms trans person or trans community. I would be interested to here what people's views are on this from consultation they have undertaken.
Kind regards
Louise
Louise Birch
HR Equality & Diversity Officer
University of Chichester
Tel: +44 (0)1243 816046
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: Penny Alder
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:55 PM
Subject: FW: Draft Gender Equality Scheme
Dear all
you might be interested in this thread of emails - see below, with a response from one of our staff members. It's a bit long but you may need the context...
Penny
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From: Harper Catherine (Dr)
Sent: 13 February 2007 16:06
To: Penny Alder
Subject: Re: Draft Gender Equality Scheme
Hi Penny
Really pleased that you have been consulting Press for Change and the Gender Trust. UK Intersex Association (www.ukia.co.uk) are also very helpful. I know this because I'm just completing my book on Intersex... http://www.bergpublishers.com/us/book_page.asp?BKTitle=Intersex
Best wishes
Catherine
On 13/2/07 16:03, "Penny Alder" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hello Catherine
thanks for your suggestions. Difficult to get the wording exactly right and even people like Press for Change and the Gender Trust have differing views on this! But we should consider including transvestite and intersexed staff/students.
This document (I am drafting!) will go to the Equality & Diversity Committee at the end of this month and I am sure there will be some more discussion on this one.
It's something I might raise with people in other HEIs who are all working on their gender schemes. We had a very very short time-scale to do this - unlike the Disability Equality Schemes.
regards
Penny
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From: Harper Catherine (Dr)
Sent: 13 February 2007 15:59
To: Penny Alder
Subject: Re: Draft Gender Equality Scheme
Dear Penny
This is a good initiative.
You include transsexuals lower down in your email, and I wonder if we could include transvestite and intersexed members of staff and students in this?
Many thanks
Catherine
On 13/2/07 15:53, "Penny Alder" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear all
The purpose of this email is to invite your input into the UCCA Gender Equality Scheme -
We want to identify any gender issues (staff or student related) that you think should be included in the scheme.
Please send me any specific issues that you feel should be included eg:
a.. practices that disadvantage women, men or lesbian, gay or bi-sexual groups?
b.. experience of unfair gender treatment or bias
c.. any other issues that you feel should be included?
You may remember that in December 2006 I sent an email toa all staff to invite them to take part in meetings about our draft scheme. Since then a small working group has met three times to discuss the objectives for our scheme and action plan (see attached Terms of Reference).
The key gender objectives are:
1.. Recruitment & Retention
2.. Equal Pay
3.. Caring and Work-life Balance
4.. Harassment & Bullying and Discrimination
5.. Promotion and Awareness Raising
Under the Equality Act 2006 all public bodies must publish a Gender Equality Scheme and Action Plan by 30 April 2007. The purpose of the gender duty is about the promotion of equality of opportunity between men and women and is relevant to both staff and students . It also includes a duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment of men, women and transsesexual people.
The legislation is intended to address the fact that despite 30 years of individual legal rights to sex equality, there is still widespread discrimination. The duty could pave the way for real change - so do get involved.
I can send further information if you need it - just email me or call me on the number below.
Penny
Penny Alder
Equality and Diversity Advisor
Human Resources Department
University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester
Tel:+44 (0)1252 892997
Web: www.ucreative.co.uk
Formed on 1 August 2005 through the uniting of two leading specialist art and design institutions: Kent Institute of Art & Design and The Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College.
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Dr Catherine Harper
Reader in Textiles / Research Coordinator
Editor UK, Textile: The Journal of Cloth and Culture
University College for the Creative Arts at Epsom
Ashley Road
Epsom KT18 5BE
Tel. 0044 (0) 1372 202204
Email [log in to unmask]
Web www.ucreative.ac.uk
Dr Catherine Harper
Reader in Textiles / Research Coordinator
Editor UK, Textile: The Journal of Cloth and Culture
University College for the Creative Arts at Epsom
Ashley Road
Epsom KT18 5BE
Tel. 0044 (0) 1372 202204
Email [log in to unmask]
Web www.ucreative.ac.uk
