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The TUC has launched a new guide for union reps on how to combat homophobia in the workplace.

The guide, LGBT Equality at Work, provides legal tips for challenging harassment at work and practical advice on how unions can best represent their LGBT members.

LGBT Equality at Work offers guidance on a range of issues from challenging unacceptable behaviour and language to ensuring that LGBT workers who are posted to hostile countries are fully protected by their employers.

The guide is published just weeks after the British Social Attitudes Survey revealed that despite steady progress in the social acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, a significant minority of the British population remains prejudiced.

The TUC hopes the guide will help unions to make workplaces more accepting places for LGBT workers.

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'There has been enormous progress in society's readiness to welcome LGBT people as equal fellow citizens.

'However, many LGBT people still encounter prejudice at the workplace and it essential that homophobia is challenged where and when it happens. This guide provides a range of legal and practical advice that union reps can use to combat unacceptable behaviour and make sure LGBT staff get the respect they deserve.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- LGBT Equality at Work is available free to unions and can be ordered from TUC Publications or the PDF can be downloaded from the TUC website at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-22599-f0.cfm

-There are 77 countries where being homosexual is illegal

- The TUC's campaign plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk