Why Marriage Equality Matters to America's Unions and Working Families

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in cases that could lead to marriage equality for same-sex couples, an issue of particular importance to working families and America's union members. "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," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in a statement. "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. For example, federal employees who are AFGE members are prohibited from negotiating domestic partner benefits because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 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 DOMA in the U.S. Supreme Court. - Jackie Tortora, AFL-CIO Now blog; photo from the Pride at Work Facebook page