Knock for Equality

On Saturday, September 28^th, President Karla Swift, union member volunteers and the Michigan AFL-CIO team showed up energized to knock doors with the One Royal Oak campaign. The One Royal Oak coalition is working for Proposal A to protect a Human Rights Ordinance already passed by the Royal Oak City Commission. Passing this proposal would solidify protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens of Royal Oak from discrimination in housing and the workplace. Proposal A will be on the ballot November 5, 2013.

The Michigan AFL-CIO and Metro Detroit AFL-CIO standing with One Royal Oak is another mile marker in the long history of labor and the LGBT movement working side by side on issues of basic fairness, justice, and equality in the workplace and beyond.

In 1974, the Teamsters and other labor allies joined forces with LGBT activists to confront discrimination and unfair labor practices, sparking the boycott of Coors Beer, a boycott that spread nationally eventually leading to gains for both worker’s and LGBT rights. In 1978, Proposition 6 sought to ban gay and lesbian teachers from California public schools but was ultimately defeated by a coalition of union and LGBT activists.

Dating back to the 1979 quadrennial convention, the National AFL-CIO passed a resolution calling for the enactment of federal legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

President Karla Swift canvassing for Equality.

In 2013, AFL-CIO conventions reaffirmed the fight for equality both at the national and state level, extending support to the transgendered community with National AFL-CIO Resolution 48, Resolution for Health Care Equity For All, and Michigan AFL-CIO Resolution 24, Protecting Against Discrimination.

No worker should be fired or discriminated against for their identity! The Michigan and Metro Detroit AFL-CIO will continue to stand up with our LGBT brothers and sisters in the fight for equal treatment for all.

This October, union members will be turning out in support of Proposal A and the One Royal Oak campaign. These local ordinances are essential to making sure LGBT workers are not discriminated against in the workplace, in housing, and beyond.

Click here to volunteer with other union members and the One Royal Oak campaign! We will knock doors and make phone calls in support of the proposal and help explain why One Royal Oak is such an important fight in our state.

More information about the One Royal Oak campaign can be found at oneroyaloak.org.