Honoring the power of LGBTQIA+ solidarity in the labor movement
United by Struggle, Powered by Love and Labor
Pride Month is more than a celebration of identity and visibility; it’s a reminder that our fights are firmly intertwined. The LGBTQIA+ rights movement and the labor movement have always shared the struggle for dignity, fairness, and the right to live and work without fear.
As UDW members, we are proud to carry that legacy forward—organizing not just for better pay and benefits, but for the right to be seen, heard, and safe at work.
This month, we honor our LGBTQIA+ members and recommit to building a union where every worker, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation, is valued and protected.
A History of Standing Together
The labor and LGBTQIA+ movements have never been separate struggles. We’ve been standing shoulder to shoulder for decades—because the fight for dignity at work is the fight for dignity everywhere.
In 1974, Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., built powerful alliances with organized labor. Together, they led a successful boycott against Coors Brewing Company, targeting the corporation’s anti-union practices and its discrimination against LGBTQIA+ workers. That coalition proved our power: LGBTQIA+ communities backed the picket lines, and labor fought back against hate.
During the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 90s, unions stepped up. AFSCME, along with our union siblings at SEIU, organized educational campaigns, negotiated non-discrimination protections into contracts, and stood by LGBTQIA+ members when many others looked away.
And in 2005, the AFL-CIO reaffirmed its commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights, stating:
- “We believe that all union members are entitled to equal rights and that all of their families should have access to benefits they need and deserve… The AFL-CIO reiterates its longstanding support for the full inclusion and equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the workplace and in society.”
In 2024, UDW members at the Constitutional Convention passed a resolution affirming our union’s commitment to defending the rights, dignity, and respect of the LGBTQIA+ community.
This is the legacy we carry—not one of silence or neutrality, but of solidarity.
The Fight for LGBTQIA+ Rights Is Far From Over
Even in 2025, many LGBTQIA+ care providers fear being targeted, judged, or even fired for being who they are. Unlike other professions, our work takes place inside people’s homes, often without the protection of HR policies or traditional workplace safeguards. This makes the risk of discrimination even more isolating and dangerous.
That fear is compounded by the wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation at both the state and federal levels—yes, even here in California. These coordinated attacks aim to divide us, erase LGBTQIA+1 lives, and weaken worker protections at the same time.
But UDW stands up for all of our workers, and that’s why members have formed a UDW Pride Committee to create a safe space, build community, and advocate for LGBTQIA+ home and child care providers. Because when one of us is under attack, the whole union shows up.
Pride Is a Labor Issue. We Will Never Stop Fighting For Each Other.
The same systems that underpay care providers also harm LGBTQIA+ identifying workers—and some of us are both. That’s why we fight together.
So this Pride Month, don’t just wave a flag—organize with us. Take a stand. Show up for your union siblings. Because when we care for each other, we win.
Looking to connect with other LGBTQIA+ affirming UDW members? Contact your local office to learn more about the UDW Pride Committee or to attend an upcoming Pride event in your area.
