More Unions Applaud Obama for Marriage Equality Stance

By Kenneth Quinnell
AFl-CIO News
May 12, 2012

http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Other-News/More-Unions-Applaud-Obama-for-Marriage-Equality-Stance

This is a cross-post form Crooks and Liars

Thursday, I reported that several major labor unions
expressed support for Barack Obama's statement that he
supports the right of all Americans to marry,
regardless of their sexual orientation. More unions
expressed their support for the president and marriage
equality in a move that, as I pointed out yesterday, is
good for Obama, for unions and for LGBT Americans:

This is a great development for a number of reasons.
One, it's a clear statement from unions that they
recognize that LGBT families are working families, too.
Two, it gives Obama strong public support on an issue
that he is certain to be attacked on. Third, it is a
good way to attract new people to the labor movement
who might have otherwise not paid much attention to
unions because they had other issues that were more
important to them. If it is clear that unions support
LGBT families -- which it is -- there is more reason
for people to move out of issue silos, recognizing that
they have allies they can work together with to improve
everybody's situation.

UNITE HERE President John Wilhelm (via press release):

We applaud President Obama's statement in support of
marriage equality. Our members support full equality
for LGBT Americans in all matters governed by civil
law, and we are grateful for the President's courage
and leadership. Today the United States took an
important step towards fulfilling the Constitution's
promise of equal protection under the law. UNITE HERE
stands with working families of all descriptions in the
ongoing struggle for social and economic justice.

I am proud that UNITE HERE is on the side of justice
for the LGBT community. Thanks, and congratulations on
this important step, to all those in our Union who work
to achieve full equality for our LGBT members, and for
all our members. I have been especially grateful that
Cleve Jones, a life-long warrior for equality, has
become such an important leader in UNITE HERE.
President Obama's announcement is an important step.
The struggle continues.

United Auto Workers President Bob King:

The UAW applauds President Obama's remarks on same-sex
marriage, and we regard it as a historic and courageous
leap toward equality for all Americans.

We oppose all discrimination and believe there is a
definite connection between civil, human and workers'
rights. This belief continues to define us today.

Solidarity means economic and social justice for all,
regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual
orientation. This commitment to civil and human rights
for all helped fuel many early UAW organizing
victories. The UAW helped organize African-American
workers during the 1930s when companies used race as a
divisive anti-union strategy. In 1955 we were the first
industrial union to establish a Women's Department, its
mission to encourage female participation in the
predominantly male UAW - and to ensure that a woman's
place was in her union. We were arm in arm with the
civil rights movement in the 1950s and `60s.

The ongoing struggle for civil and human rights for
everyone - including LGBT Americans - cannot be
separated from the fight for justice for all workers.
That's something the UAW has known from the start.

Association of Flight Attendants:

Today, Veda Shook, International President of the
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), sent a
letter to President Obama commending him for his
support of marriage equality. AFA has been a
longstanding supporter of equal rights for all, as
evidenced in 1976 when the union's Board of Directors
amended its by-laws to include the following objective:
"To unite all Flight Cabin Crew members regardless of
race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or
nationality." In addition, in 2006, the AFA Board of
Directors unanimously adopted a resolution in support
of marriage equality.

AFA is a leading advocate for the Flight Attendant
profession and is proud to be part of labor's decades-
long tradition of standing up for fair and equal
treatment for all workers. We support marriage equality
for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
sisters and brothers. Marriage equality is not only an
economic and social justice issue, but also a human
rights issue.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi
Weingarten:

Today President Obama took the right and just position
on marriage equality. As president of the AFT and as a
gay American, I strongly support President Obama for
his bold action.

"America's greatness has been based in large part on
our continual journey toward equality. President
Obama's action today on marriage equality continues
that journey. I am proud to lead an organization that
has, from our founding, stood firm against
discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender,
physical disability or sexual orientation. The fight
for civil rights not only in the workforce but also in
every aspect of American life, is ongoing. Every
American is entitled to equal shares of equality,
liberty and happiness.

Pride @ Work:

Pride at Work applauds President Obama's groundbreaking
and moving statement today in support of marriage
equality.

Relationship recognition matters for lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender workers as a basic union
issue, an economic justice issue and as a social
justice issue. Thank you, President Obama, for standing
up for justice and standing in solidarity with the LGBT
community.

Same-sex couples take a unique financial hit because
their relationships aren't recognized under federal law
due to DOMA; and they have less ability to care for and
support their families in times of need. The right to
equal pay and benefits for equal work is a fundamental
component of labor struggles, as is the ability to work
and support one's family with dignity and respect.

The ability of leaders and average citizens alike to
have thoughtful conversation, to listen, and develop
their views is part of how change happens. We
appreciate President Obama for having the grace and
dignity to engage in real dialogue and ultimately stand
in support of the LGBT community on the issue of
marriage equality. We look forward to continuing those
conversations this year and beyond on other key issues,
particularly with the vital need to prohibit employment
discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender
identity and expression.

The President's groundbreaking statement today follows
on the heels of a track record of actions that have
made a real difference in the lives of LGBT workers and
their families, including:

    Hospital visitation & decision making rights for
    gay and lesbian couples

    Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

    Enactment of the Affordable Care Act, expanding
    access to health care

    Signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate
    Crimes Prevention Act

    Ensuring Transgender Americans can get their true
    passport regardless of surgery status

    Ended discrimination against LGBT people in federal
    housing

We have more work to do. Today, President Obama showed
true leadership, and this country took a vital step
forward in the march for equality and justice for all
people.

___________________________________________

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