'Queer' workers to get together next month.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex workers face particular issues at work. These workers will have the opportunity to get together in Wellington next month to discuss these issues, share experiences and support each other. Some NZNO members are calling for a network to support queer workers within the organisation.

Next month the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) will hold the second "Out@Work Kamp" for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex union members at Raumati Beach, just north of Wellington. The first Out@Work Kamp in 2003 attracted 45 workers from a range of unions and from across the country.

The Out@Work network is an acknowledgment that "queer" workers (Lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and intersex) have common issues, which are human rights issues. The forum acknowledges the need for queer workers to address discrimination issues, share experiences and support each other.

Service and Food Workers' Union member Nadine Rae said the 2003 kamp was a Lot of fun and suitable for union members of all knowledge levels. "If you haven't been involved before, this would be a great way to see what unions are all about, in a fun, safe space for queer workers," she said. "The kamp was a great space to talk about what it can be Like being queer at work, but also what it is Like being involved in unions and getting support for openly and actively addressing our issues."

The 2005 Out@Work Kamp promises to build on the work already achieved and provide those not previously involved with the opportunity to become so. One of the central issues raised at the Last kamp was the need to establish internal union networks to support queer workers. NZNO does not currently have such a network and some members feel this is a gap that needs to be addressed.

The Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) has had a Safe Schools Taskforce since 1993, which provides support for queer teachers and students. "It was clear that many New Zealand secondary schools were not safe or welcoming places for Lesbian and gay teachers or students ..." (1)

According to the PPTA's Judie Allison, who has been involved in the development of the taskforce, schools need to provide a safe environment for both teachers and students, free from harassment and homophobia.

The taskforce serves as an educational and support network for members, as well as an advisory committee to the PPTA executive. The 2001 PPTA annual conference identified there was still a lot to be done and asked the taskforce to continue its work in making schools safer for queer students and teachers.

Some NZNO members have identified a need for a support network. NZNO member Liz Dutton is a Lesbian working as a practice nurse in a Large general practice in Wellington. She previously worked in Wellington Hospital's oncology ward. "Within the hospital environment I soon discovered two other Lesbians working on my ward and this was the first time I found myself with Like support," she said. "This gave me a sense of solidarity and normality in my working relationships and I felt a commonality with them."

She feels that while homophobia towards staff and patients in a hospital environment is present, it tends to be more hidden. "I choose not to be 'out' with patients unless they have first been 'out' with me. I, like many others, have had to field the old questions by patients such as "Are you married?", or "What does your husband do?", and this can always be difficult. I tend to have replies that are non-gender specific as much as I can, but it still feels uncomfortable.

"We recently had a gay nursing student at our practice. He openly told me he was gay and asked me if that was a problem. I promptly told him I was too and he sighed with relief and relaxed. At the time I should have told him he must never feel he needs to apologise for being gay--we are who we are. Needless to say, we got on well and for those few days he spent with us I definitely felt less in the minority."

Dutton attends the Gay Association of Professionals (GAP) for social contact. "I am aware doctors have a network and I feel nurses should have one too. If more lesbian/gay nurses had the opportunity to meet up socially and discuss issues we have in our day-to-day work, we would feel better supported and less in the minority," she said.

NZNO member Pegg Link is an openly Lesbian neonatal nurse in Auckland and also the chair of NZNO's Greater Auckland Regional Council. She has experienced homophobia and sees these experiences as usually stemming from a Lack of education. "While working in the United States, I offered to give blood to the very ill daughter of one of the nurses I worked with. It really stunned me how ignorant some health care professionals were. They were sure my blood would be filled with HIM. In the end I gave the blood and the daughter recovered completely."

Recognition of this aspect of her identity is significant in terms of her nursing practice, as it allows her to develop relationships with her colleagues based on mutual understanding and trust.

Support network needed

She would Like to see a network for Lesbian and gay NZNO members. The response from a minority of members to the NZNO submission on the Civil Union Bill (now an Act), strengthened her resolve to see such a network. "Because of this controversy, I believe it is vitally important for the Lesbians and gay men who are NZNO members to have a network of support and communication," she said. "I know personally when I read those angry responses, besides feeling mad and disappointed, I felt lonely and isolated".

If you are interested in attending the CTU Out@Work Kamp 2005 or would like further information regarding any of the issues raised in this article, please email [e-mail] or call the Wellington NZNO office: 04 931 6748.