Resolution on International Solidarity with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Persons Everywhere who Face Human Rights Atrocities

Whereas, all persons in all countries have a right to be free from violent attacks, hate, crimes, and other forms of violence committed against them; and,

Whereas, a basics principle of our trade union movement is international solidarity with our brothers and sisters at home and abroad; and,

Whereas, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)states“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” and “All are equal before the law and are entitled with out any discrimination to equal protection before the law.  All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination” ; and

Whereas, the right to be free from tortureand from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatmentare violated in many countries where attacks on lesbian,gay, bisexual, and transgenderindividuals and on LGBTorganizations are routinely committed by individuals, and where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, and LGBT organization are targeted by police, military and para-military, often leaving these victims with no recourse; and

Whereas, the right to non-discrimination, to privacyand to be free from violence and harassment are violated by omitting sexual orientation and gender identity expression in anti-discrimination laws, constitutional provisions or their enforcement, and where the death penalty or extended prison sentences are applicable for “sodomy” , and by the existence of laws prohibiting consensual acts of transgenders, lesbian, gays and bisexuals; and

Whereas, these same rights and the right to physical and mental healthare violated where transgender individuals are prevented from legal recognition of their gender identity, including the ability to change name and sex on identity documents, and by discriminatory policies and practices by health providers and programs for the provision of health care and insurance as well as by lack of adequate training for health care providers regarding sexual orientation and gender identity and expression: and

Whereas, the rights to work and to safety in the workplaceare violated as many transgenders, lesbians, gays and bisexuals are fired or discriminated against in employment policies and practices, or as targets for harassment because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; and

Whereas, the right to equal protection under the lawand freedom from arbitrary arrestis infringed upon by discriminatory police practices targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, in investigations or in detention and theright to a fair trialis often affected by the prejudices of judges and law enforcement officials

Be it resolved, that Pride at Work condemn all these and other forms of violence and repression toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenderpeople in any form, in any country, for any reason.

Be it further resolved, that Pride at Work urges its members and affiliates and allallies in the trade union movement and inlesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations to take actions and to condemn each such attack and the ongoing violence; and

Be it finally resolved, that Pride at Work call on the AFL-CIO, Change to Win and all other unions and worker federations to use their collective bargaining power to end all such violence.

Respectfully submitted by Joel Wendland, Michigan Chapter