Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-562-1178
The United Steelworkers (USW) union released the following statement in honor of Pride Month 2021:
“As union members, it’s our responsibility to ensure all workers and their families can live their lives with dignity. This is why, in early 2019, our union formed our first-ever LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee to work on improving contract language, expand the union’s education curriculum to be inclusive and intersectional, and decrease incidents of harassment against LGBTQ+ members.
“Although our union and our nation have both come a long way in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, there is still so much work to be done. Today, all across the country, state legislatures are passing oppressive, hateful bills that target Trans youth and trans workers. This type of legislation not only causes harm to an already vulnerable community, but it also aims to further divide the working class.
“The Biden administration’s executive order on preventing and combating discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation is a good start in pushing back against homophobia and hate, but it cannot end there. We must also take personal responsibility.
“This Pride Month, we ask everyone to find a way to support our LGBTQ+ youth in the many fights ahead, from further educating ourselves on the diverse LGBTQ+ community to donating to local, grassroots organizations led by those communities.
“As we work to protect and empower the next diverse generation of workers, it is up to each and every one of us to build a society in which we can all take pride.
“Get started at usw.org/steelpride.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.