Major Unions Back Obama's Support for Marriage Equality

Union Presidents Offer Support for Obama on Marriage
Equality

by Laura Clawson

Daily Kos Labor

May 9, 2012

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/09/1090176/-Union-presidents-offer-support-for-Obama-on-marriage-equality

The presidents of two large unions and a labor federation
moved quickly to laud President Obama's support for marriage
equality.

"Working people believe in equality and fairness," according
to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, "and that's why we are
happy to stand with ... President Obama in supporting
marriage equality":

    LGBT working people face numerous inequities in the
    workplace and in society as they struggle to care for
    their families. Civil unions do not guarantee the 1,138
    rights, benefits and responsibilities that are triggered
    by the word "marriage" under federal law.

    Most important, we should respect and honor our friends,
    neighbors, and family members who want to take care of
    their families and their loved ones - whatever their
    sexual orientation. We are proud to come together for a
    more just America.

"The president's support comes at a critical moment as the
rights of LGBT people are under legislative attack" in
several states, SEIU President Mary Kay Henry said in a
statement,

    [...] but the growing numbers of Americans who believe
    in marriage equality reminds us that we cannot live up
    to our promise as a nation until we extend equal rights
    to all.

    To those who have chosen to stand on the wrong side of
    history, we say this: There is growing momentum for
    equality in this country. And with each American that
    believes in equality, we are reminded that the continued
    dream of equality is our birthright, our heritage and
    our promise.

    For anyone who counts equality among the basic tenets of
    a free and just America, Pres. Obama's announcement
    today is a victory.

Noting that "Nearly ten years ago, CWA convention delegates
called for full and equal rights including civil marriage,"
Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen said
that his union "stands with the President and those who
support equality and human rights."

As Cohen's statement makes clear, many unions have supported
marriage equality for years, with unions recently involved
in the fight for marriage equality in Maryland and
elsewhere.

3:45 PM PT: United Food and Commercial Workers President Joe
Hansen commends President Obama for his statement, and
points to the ways that the UFCW supports equal rights on
the job, including that:

    ...our union is a strong supporter of the Employment
    Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would ensure justice
    in the workplace for LGBT workers. UFCW members have
    been negotiating equal health care coverage for same-sex
    couples into their union contracts all over the country
    for years.

7:50 PM PT: More statements: The president and secretary-
treasurer of AFSCME, Gerald McEntee and Lee Saunders weigh
in, as does American Federation of Teachers President Randi
Weingarten, specifically citing her support for President
Obama's statement "As president of the AFT and as a gay
American."

[Laura Clawson has been a Daily Kos contributing editor
since December 2006, and the Daily Kos Labor editor since
2011.]

==========

Major Labor Unions Back Obama's Support for Marriage
Equality

by Kenneth Quinnell

Crooks and Liars
Kenneth Quinnell's Blog

May 9, 2012

http://crooksandliars.com/kenneth-quinnell/major-labor-unions-back-obamas-su

In the wake of President Barack Obama's announced public
support for marriage equality, a number of major labor
unions have come out in support of the president's position
and equality for the LGBT community. 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.

Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen:

    "The Communications Workers of America stands with the
    President and those who support equality and human
    rights. We oppose all discrimination and recognize the
    direct linkage between civil and workers' rights, and
    the attempts to divide Americans based on these issues.

    Nearly ten years ago, CWA convention delegates called
    for full and equal rights including civil marriage,
    pointing out that far too many benefits and protections
    of civil marriage are denied to people on the basis of
    sexual orientation. These often include health care and
    survivor benefits as well as other legal rights for
    partners. It's time to move forward."

Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay
Henry:

    "Earlier today, President Obama joined a host of faith,
    civil rights, business and political leaders who have
    publicly voiced their support of marriage equality. The
    president's support comes at a critical moment as the
    rights of LGBT people are under legislative attack in
    Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina and elsewhere. The
    president understands what we do - marriage equality is
    about family, community, love and justice.

    "Across this country, right-wing Republican politicians
    are seeking to divide us with attacks on immigrants, the
    middle class, women's health, the environment and the
    LGBT community - but the growing numbers of Americans
    who believe in marriage equality reminds us that we
    cannot live up to our promise as a nation until we
    extend equal rights to all.

    "To those who have chosen to stand on the wrong side of
    history, we say this: There is growing momentum for
    equality in this country. And with each American that
    believes in equality, we are reminded that the continued
    dream of equality is our birthright, our heritage and
    our promise.

    "For anyone who counts equality among the basic tenets
    of a free and just America, Pres. Obama's announcement
    today is a victory."

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:

    Working people believe in equality and fairness and
    that's why we are happy to stand with millions of
    Americans and with President Obama in supporting
    marriage equality.

    LGBT working people face numerous inequities in the
    workplace and in society as they struggle to care for
    their families. Civil unions do not guarantee the 1,138
    rights, benefits and responsibilities that are triggered
    by the word "marriage" under federal law.

    Most important, we should respect and honor our friends,
    neighbors, and family members who want to take care of
    their families and their loved ones - whatever their
    sexual orientation. We are proud to come together for a
    more just America.

United Food and Commercial Workers President Joe Hansen:

    "I commend President Obama for his support of marriage
    equality, and I'm proud to support him as he takes this
    historic stand.

    "Marriage equality is an economic justice issue, and a
    social justice issue - and that makes it a union issue.
    In the UFCW, we have a long, proud history of standing
    up for fair and equal treatment for all workers -
    regardless of what they look like, where they come from,
    what language they speak, or who they love. These values
    are heartfelt. We work every day to fight discrimination
    and unfair treatment against LGBT people on the job.
    That's why our union is a strong supporter of the
    Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would
    ensure justice in the workplace for LGBT workers. UFCW
    members have been negotiating equal health care coverage
    for same-sex couples into their union contracts all over
    the country for years. It's the right thing to do, and
    the fair thing to do. I'm proud that the UFCW's advocacy
    on behalf of families includes all families."

AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee:

    "President Obama's announcement today recognizes a
    fundamental American right - that every citizen is
    entitled to respect and dignity, and the equal
    protection of our laws. For too long, lesbian and gay
    Americans have been denied the right to marry the person
    they love, raise a family and live as equal citizens in
    our country. They are denied access to pension benefits,
    Social Security survivor benefits, family health and
    bereavement leave and family immigration rights. That
    discrimination harms all of us, not just LGBT Americans.
    We have an obligation to work to overturn unjust laws
    and amendments to state constitutions that codify
    prejudice and promote discrimination against fellow
    citizens. The President deserves praise for recognizing
    that this issue is about equality under the law and the
    right of all Americans to live their lives free from
    discrimination."

==========

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