The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this week on two landmark cases involving marriage equality and the labor movement, which has long supported equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people, is proudly standing in solidarity for marriage equality for all people.
Last
month, the AFL-CIO, along with the National Education Association (NEA) and
Change to Win, filed amicus briefs challenging the constitutionality of
California's Prop. 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in
the U.S. Supreme Court. Read the entire amicus briefs here
and here.
Check out statements in support of marriage equality from leaders of various unions below --
Statement
by AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka on Marriage Equality
May
9, 2012
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.
AFSCME
Statement on President Obama’s Remarks on Marriage
May 9, 2012
(Washington, D.C.) AFSCME President Gerald W.
McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Lee Saunders issued the following statement
regarding President Obama’s remarks today on marriage:
“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.”
AFT
Applauds President Obama's Support of Marriage Equality
May 9, 2012
"Every American
Is Entitled to Equal Shares of Equality, Liberty and Happiness."
WASHINGTON—Today
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten praised President
Barack Obama on his announced support of marriage equality.
"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."
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
Commends President Obama On His Support Of Marriage Equality
May 9, 2012
Washington, DC – 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.
CWA:
Rights and Liberties of the U.S. Constitution Must Apply to All
May
9, 2012
Washington,
D.C. -- Following is a statement by CWA President Larry Cohen on efforts to
block marriage equality.
“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. “
Maria
Elena Durazo Issues a Statement on President Obama’s Support of Same Sex
Marriage
May
9, 2012
(Los
Angeles) – Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Executive
Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo issued the following statement [May 9th]
on President Obama’s announcement today in support of the same sex marriage.
"As
the Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the Los Angeles County Federation of
Labor, AFL-CIO, and a National Co-Chair for the Obama Campaign, I applaud
President Obama for his announcement today in support of the freedom to marry
for loving and committed same-sex couples. The freedom to marry affects
same-sex couples' ability to take care of themselves and their families by
ensuring critical economic protections and fair treatment. As a leader of
the labor movement, which has a long tradition of supporting freedom for all, I
am very pleased to see that after listening to the stories of why marriage
matters to all Americans, the President has completed his journey on marriage
and is standing up for all families."
National Education Association (NEA)
November 6, 2012
Following is a statement by NEA President
Dennis Van Roekel on two big wins for families in Maryland with the passing of
Question 4 implementing the Maryland Dream Act and Question 6 regarding
marriage equality.
"At a time of increasing class sizes, inadequate school
resources, and attacks on public schools nationally, voters made clear that
they want to do more to help Maryland’s children. They were the big winners
with the passage of Ballot Questions 4 and 6. The Maryland Dream Act gives more
students the opportunity to attend college, increase their lifelong earning
potential and improve the quality of life for their families and themselves.
Likewise, by ensuring that ALL families have equal rights, Maryland’s families
will be stronger and we know that strong families help our kids achieve in the
classroom.. We applaud Maryland for making the right choices at the ballot
box,” said Van Roekel.
P@W
Lauds President Obama's Stand for Marriage Equality
May
9, 2012
"Thank
you, President Obama, for standing up for justice and standing in solidarity
with the LGBT community."
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.
SEIU
on President Obama's Support of Marriage Equality
May
9, 2012
WASHINGTON,
DC - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International
President Mary Kay Henry issued the following statement after President Obama
announced his support for marriage equality:
"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."
UAW
proud to stand with President Obama on support of marriage equality
05/10/12
UAW
President Bob King issued this statement regarding President Obama’s
announcement on his support for marriage equality:
“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.”
May
10, 2012
WASHINGTON,
D.C. — Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial
Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement:
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.”
UNITE
HERE Statement on Marriage Equality
May
10, 2012
UNITE
HERE applauds 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. 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.
We are 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. President Obama’s announcement is an important step. The struggle
continues.
