Labor Takes Pride in LGBT Solidarity

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Their t-shirts reading “Sleep with the right people” and “LGBT Labor,” members of Unite Here locals 23 and 25 participated in the Pride Parade in the nation’s capital last weekend. Local 23’s Emilio Abate said they were there “to show solidarity with the LGBT community in their struggle for human rights and connect their struggle to the labor struggle.” Solidarity between labor and LGBT groups is also a part of Unite Here's national “Sleep with the right people” campaign that asks travelers not to eat, sleep or meet at boycotted hotels. Local 25 was there celebrating their success in negotiating domestic partnership coverage in the recent DC hotel workers' contract. Unite Here members handed out “LGBT Labor” stickers and carried “LGBT for Obama” signs as onlookers lining the parade route cheered. “Workers rights are tied to LGBT rights” said Metro Council president Jos Williams. The Maryland State/DC AFL-CIO and the Metro Washington Council are opposing a referendum that would repeal the Marriage Equality bill approved by the Maryland Assembly earlier this year. “We stand with workers regardless of sexual orientation” added Williams, “and we’ll be getting out the labor vote in Maryland this year for marriage equality." - photo of Local 25 member in the parade by Julia Kann