2026 Membership Convention Highlights
On Monday, June 1, Pride at Work kicked off our quadrennial Membership Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, bringing together members, chapter leaders, and labor partners from across the country. At a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ workers, unions, and our communities continue to face coordinated attacks in the face of authoritarian rule, the convention served as an opportunity to reconnect, strengthen our movement, and strategize for the next four years.
The first night of the convention opened with a welcome from National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Chief of Staff Amy Gollinger, who introduced member Dr. SJ Joslin. Joslin, a former Yosemite National Park Ranger for the National Park Service, shared their experience of being fired for scaling El Capitan in their personal and unfurling a massive transgender pride flag. Their testimony emphasized the importance of courage, visibility, and speaking out despite retaliation, setting the tone for a convention centered on solidarity and the urgency of collective action to combat authoritarianism and attacks on trans workers.
Throughout the week, attendees heard from a powerful lineup of labor leaders, elected officials, organizers, and activists working to build power for 2SLGBTQIA+ workers.
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, a devoted ally to labor and the queer community, welcomed delegates to the state. She provided insight into how Minnesota won legislation and programs such as Paid Family and Medical Leave and the strongest wage theft protections in the country, and established itself as a trans refuge.
Legendary labor, gay rights, and HIV/AIDS activist Cleve Jones joined the convention virtually to deliver a keynote address inspired by the Seven Days in June campaign, reminding attendees of the history of queer labor organizing and the responsibility of taking the unfinished work to carry it further for future generations. Jones is long-time staff of UNITE HERE, Harvey Milk’s protégé, and the founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Pride At Work was deeply honored to have both AFL-CIO officers address the Convention. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler reinforced the labor movement's commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ workers and the importance of organizing across industries and identities to build worker power. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond made a resounding call for continued solidarity, emphasizing that the fight for workers' rights, civil rights, and 2SLGBTQIA+ liberation are interconnected.
While traditional union education often leans toward doing workshops in smaller breakout groups, our innovative workshop facilitators decided to try out keeping the entire 150+ delegates in one room to create a strong sense of shared experience and comradery. The facilitators and participants found the experiment to be a success.
A large team of facilitators from AFT led a 3 hour workshop “Wielding Power as LGBTQIA+ Unionists: Non-Cooperation with Authoritarianism 101”specifically tailored to queer and trans union members. The training equipped members with organizing tools for confronting attacks on workers and democracy, helping them think through how they are each uniquely positioned in their work, union, and community to chip away at the pillars that prop up an authoritarian regime.
AFL-CIO Specialist on Immigration and Labor Stephanie Sepúlveda facilitated “Mass Deportation Fightback for Queer Union Activists: Know Your Rights and Protect Your Siblings”, which was also customized for Pride At Work members. This workshop covered the rights and protections we all have when it comes to interacting with law enforcement, including immigration agents, and information to navigate the escalating attacks on immigrant workers and discuss resources available for unions and organizers.
Executive Director Brittany Anderson provided an interactive Pride At Work 101 training to ground the Convention in the organization’s history, structure, and mission.
The convention also highlighted the voices of organizers and rank-and-file union members whose experiences continue to contribute to shaping our movement.
Mae ApGovannon, a rank-and-file member of AFGE, spoke about the ongoing attacks on federal workers and access to gender-affirming care, reminding attendees that these fights are deeply interconnected.
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham, echoed the strength of Minnesota's labor movement and its partnership with Pride at Work. St. Paul Regional Labor Federation President Kera Peterson also shared remarks of solidarity across all the struggles of working people.
Kayt Tiskus of the NYC Pride at Work Initiative gave updates on our workforce development program, which is the first publicly-funded partnership between unions and 2SLGBTQIA+ organization. The Initiative receives $500,000 each year from the City Council and has created a pipeline for queer and trans people into good union careers.
APRI President Clayola Brown honored founder and renowned labor leader, Nancy Wohlforth, and led attendees in a lively rendition of "Which Side Are You On?" that invigorated the room.
At our awards gala, we honored UUP, CSEA, Alex Gonzalez, and Yan Vazquez. Alex (UUP member) and Yan (CSEA member) are a married couple who were abducted by ICE when they arrived for an immigration hearing in Syracuse, NY regarding their asylum case on October 29, 2025. UUP, CSEA and the Syracuse labor movement fought tirelessly for the return of their siblings, and successfully secured their release in February 2026.
Pride At Work’s Recording Secretary Ray Bradford, who is a broadcast journalist by trade and SAG-AFTRA member, served as gala MC. Ray also conducted a deeply moving interview on stage with Wade Luneburg, P@W Vice President, Political Director for UNITE HERE in Minnesota, and Recording Secretary of UNITE HERE Local 17.
Through his work in his union and with the MN AFL-CIO, Wade has been a key leader in protecting and supporting immigrant workers through the ICE occupation of Minneapolis and organizing the massive community fightback. He shared how more than a decade of deep organizing and partnership building among labor, the state’s progressive, immigrant, queer, and racial justice organizations, and aligned elected officials was key to January’s heroic uprising of Minnesotans protecting their neighbors.
Beyond these sessions, delegates conducted the business of the organization by debating and voting on bylaws, resolutions, and electing new leadership. This marked the first time Pride At Work has used electronic voting for elections. Thanks to the diligent work of our Elections Committee, it was found to be an efficient and trustworthy process that delegates want to see used moving forward.
The bold agenda adopted by delegates serves as a mandate for Pride at Work's work over the next four years.
Those priorities are reflected in resolutions that address:
Resolution Opposing Fascism, Authoritarianism, and Attacks on 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
Fighting Against the Mistreatment of Our 2SLGBTQIA+, Immigrant and HIV + Siblings
Resolution Against Attacks on Transgender Healthcare for Federal Employees and their Dependents
Tribute Resolution to Nancy Wohlforth
The Disability Rights Advisory Group
On the final day of the Convention delegates elected new officers, while recognizing and thanking outgoing leaders for their service and commitment to the movement.
Officers elected by the 2026 Membership Convention delegates:
Co-President Jarel Sanders
Co-President Gwen Goodfellow
Vice President Wade Luneburg
Treasurer O’sha Stegall
Recording Secretary Ray Bradford
As the convention concluded, members left Minneapolis with new and renewed relationships, and a shared commitment to strengthen the mission of Pride At Work, the affiliated unions, and the labor movement.
At a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ workers continue to face unprecedented challenges, the 2026 Membership Convention demonstrated the strength of our movement and the power of collective action.
