Posted: Thursday, 24 June 2010

The Canadian Labour Congress stands in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities in this year's Pride celebrations.

For decades, Canada's unions have fought for the rights of the LGBT community. We have worked to challenge homophobia and transphobia in our workplaces, to negotiate collective agreements to protect and to provide equal access to all benefits for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans members and their families. Together, we have changed laws and attitudes and made significant gains toward equality.

These gains are hard won, and must not be taken for granted. Members of the LGBT community still face discrimination, homophobia and transphobia at their workplaces and in their daily lives. Moreover, our government seems intent on eroding the progress we have made by defunding the organizations and programs that helped secure rights for equality-seeking groups. Gone is the Court Challenges program, which helped bring forward important cases for equality rights. Gone are Canadian Human Rights Commission offices in Vancouver, Halifax and Toronto. Gone is any reference to equality rights in a citizenship guide for new Canadians. Even Toronto's Pride Week lost its funding this year.

We need to show the federal government that we will not allow the erosion of our human rights. We call on our members to show labour's solidarity with our LGBT sisters and brothers by participating in Pride events across the country. Let us send a strong message with our numbers, that we stand together in the struggle for equality and dignity.