Members,

On May 17, 2019, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), Unifor encourages members to build community with queer and trans members, and to support Pride activism globally.

At home and around the world, members of the LGBTQ community are increasingly scapegoated and targeted by oppressive and corrupt governments and political candidates.

While the arc of history continues to advance sexual orientation and gender diversity rights, the work is far from done.

As of March 2019, 70 UN member states, or 35 per cent of all members still have laws that criminalize consensual lesbian, gay, or bisexual relationships. Members of the queer and trans community around the globe face state-sponsored homophobia and transphobia.

Where state-sponsored homophobia and transphobia is present, social and political violence follows.

In a world failing to address a growing refugee crisis, LGBTQ refugees face increased violence and discrimination when attempting to find safety or safe haven.

Rainbow refugees are at risk when making claims in counties with state-sponsored homophobia, and often have difficulty ‘proving’ gender identity or sexual orientation as the basis for discrimination, if they were forced to be closeted in the past.

Unifor stands against all oppression and discrimination that seeks to divide working people and reinforce power structures that limit the ability of workers to unite — across the country and around the globe.

The growing backlash against LGBTQ people is deeply troubling, and requires all members to speak out in support of the global queer and trans community.

Make your workplace a safer space for LGBTQ comrades.  Put up the IDAHOT poster all year-round.

To take action to assist the growing crisis facing LGBTQ refugees, connect with organizations such as Rainbow Railroad.

In solidarity,

Jerry Dias
National President