Union attends a:gender conference

The FDA had a stall at the mid-November, London conference of a:gender, the civil service support network for staff who have changed or need to change permanently their perceived gender, or who identify as intersex.

Kay Carberry, Equality and Human Rights Commissioner, and assistant TUC general secretary, told delegates that trade unions had helped raise the profile of trans issues, that the TUC's LGBT committee's guidance is still being used, and that trans issues are raised articulately and forcefully at the TUC LGBT Conference. She presented Trans Equality Index Awards to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice and the Home Office.

Dee Evans, policy lead for a:gender, reminded delegates that it is not gender dysphoria which causes trans people to self harm or contemplate suicide, but the fear of the reaction of others. Friday 20 November is Transgender Day of Remembrance when all trans people killed violently are remembered.

HM Revenue and Customs FDA member Beverley Martin, who is on the union's Diversity and Equalities Sub Committee, said the conference was "thought provoking and educational". She added: "We have a lot to learn about the issues trans people have and this event provided a tour of all the issues in one day."

Sarah Wood, a:gender chair (left); and Kay Carberry, EHRC commisioner and TUC assistant general secretary (right), at the a:gender conference on 13 November 2009.