28 March 2023

🏳️‍⚧️

We heard from Professor Pip Nicholson yesterday that the University will paper our campuses with Trans flags to mark Trans Day of Visibility. 

The Trans flag is not only a symbol of visibility, it’s a reminder to take action.

The NTEU believes it’s beyond time to demand more for our Trans workmates, a workplace where their dignity is affirmed.

Trans workers need secure jobs. Trans workers need access to better carer's and parental leave. Trans workers need access to gender affirmation leave and Trans workers need to feel safe in their workplaces.

In the current round of bargaining, the NTEU’s plan includes all of these protections.
The University of Melbourne management’s proposal includes none of them.

Anti-trans activism on campus means that many staff don’t feel comfortable to be themselves in the workplace. While our branch is a place that believes deeply in academic freedom, this is not a licence to vilify or harass Trans people.

It’s time for the University put their values where their rhetoric is and truly affirm the lives of Trans people at the University.

NOTE: Check out this great resource from a comrade over at Deakin. 

AND, I also wanted to share with you this statement from the NTEU national office:
As a union, the NTEU believes that there is no place in society for transphobia and homophobia.

We stand in solidarity in the struggle to defend and extend the rights of the Trans and gender diverse community. At this time, when we are seeing escalating forms of aggression both in the streets and also in legislatures across the globe, unions must clearly state our opposition and stand in solidarity with the trans and gender diverse community.

We reject the notion that Trans rights are in opposition to the rights of women. Instead, we argue that the struggle against transphobia is tied to the struggle against misogyny.