News Item

AFL-CIO TRANSGENDER-INCLUSIVE STAND AGAINST BIGOTRY AND HATRED
February 27, 2003

The AFL-CIO Executive Council, representing over 13 million employees in the United States, spoke out this week against all forms of bigotry and hatred. In a statement posted to the Executive Council page at the AFL-CIO website on February 27, labor leaders recognized that much work remained in making equality a reality for all Americans. This is the first time that the AFL-CIO leadership specifically included transgendered people in a call for an end to bias.

"Employment, housing and other forms of discrimination, as well as acts of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression, continue unabated."

Donna Cartwright, a member of the AFL-CIO Pride at Work National Executive Board   said, "This is a wonderful day for transgender people, and a proud day for the labor movement. The AFL-CIO's action in recognizing that transgender and gender-different people need protection against discrimination and hate crimes is in the best traditions of labor solidarity and support for human rights."

Noting a post-9/11 increase in attacks on civil liberties, the AFL-CIO promised to challenge discrimination in housing, employment, education, healthcare access and other areas.

In a very clear message, the AFL-CIO leaders vowed to stand with their allies and with the civil rights community to oppose all forms of discrimination based upon race, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, religion or age. "All of these forms of discrimination harm union members and all workers, who face the additional challenge of economic exploitation and employer retaliation when they attempt to assert their rights in the workplace. "

Marta Ames, Executive Director of Pride at Work <www.prideatwork>, considers the AFL-CIO resolution an important step forward for the GLBT community. "The resolution does not come out of a vacuum," she said, "but instead reflects the energy and commitment of leaders and activists in the transgender community, the dedication and involvement of Pride At Work members, and the support of many individuals and departments within the AFL-CIO."

Vanessa Edwards Foster, Chairman of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC), said, "The AFL-CIO has shown true vision in supporting all workers, not just certain segments of the workforce. We only hope government can follow their lead."

NTAC applauds the AFL-CIO intention to work with Congress and state and local governments to pass laws that ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to live and work in an environment free of physical intimidation, prejudice, retaliation, harassment and bias.