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Wednesday 31 March is International Trans Day of Visibility. To mark this, our Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl has said:

“On Trans Day of Visibility, the MU reconfirms our commitment to working towards trans equality in the workplace, in society and in our union, and stands in solidarity with our trans and non-binary members.

“We are committed to tackling transphobia wherever it occurs and to making sure the music industry is a safe place for trans people to work.”

MU articles covering topics of interest for trans people and allies

Sign Stonewall’s petition to ban conversion therapy

Sign Stonewall’s petition to ban conversion therapy on their website. Stonewall says:

“It is still legal for LGBTQIA+ people to be emotionally, mentally abused through so-called ‘conversion therapy.

“Conversion therapy includes medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to erase, repress or change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person.

Stonewall’s LGBT in Britain – Health Report found that one in twenty LGBT people (five per cent) have been pressured to access services to question or change their sexual orientation when accessing healthcare services.

“It’s time for conversion therapy to be eradicated. We have an opportunity to secure a full, legislative ban which makes conversion therapy illegal.”

Statistics ignite calls to ensure trans employees are protected and included

The number of trans people who hide their identity at work is increasing, a recent poll from People Management has found.

More transgender people hide their identity at work now than they did five years ago, a new study has suggested, igniting calls for employers to proactively develop policies and practices to ensure trans employees are protected and included at work.

Katie Budd, head of indices and resources at LGBT+ charity Stonewall, described the figures as “heartbreaking,” and said they were a “stark reminder of how far we still had to go for trans people to feel safe to be themselves at work”.

“It’s 2021 – no one should have to hide who they are or feel afraid that they’ll be harassed for being open about their gender identity at work,” she said.

Join the MU’s network of LGBT Members

The MU has an active LGBT+ network of members. Members receive regular updates on our equalities work via newsletters, as well as the opportunity to contribute to MU consultation responses and take part in surveys.

Join an equality network today

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Utako Toyama singing and playing piano to a crowd, in front of a red curtain and flowers.

Utako Toyama for LGBT+ History Month: “Sharing Music from an LGBT+ Perspective Allows Others to Connect”

Utako is a multi-award-winning composer and MU member who promotes diversity, equality, and world peace through her music. In this guest blog, she discusses why visibility and allyship is important not just in the music industry, but for society as a whole.

Published: 17 February 2025

Read more about Utako Toyama for LGBT+ History Month: “Sharing Music from an LGBT+ Perspective Allows Others to Connect”
Close up of two microphones on a mixing desk in a studio.

CIISA Launches Open Consultation of Standards for Creative Industries

The MU is encouraging all members to take part in the consultation (which runs until 27 January), to help set out the minimum standards of behaviour expected across the UK’s creative industries, to enable safe and inclusive working environments.

Published: 02 December 2024

Read more about CIISA Launches Open Consultation of Standards for Creative Industries