Standing in Solidarity: LGBTQ+ Rights are Workers’ Rights
June is Pride Month — a time to honor the resilience, courage, and contributions of LGBTQ+ people throughout history and in our present-day communities. It’s also a moment to reflect on the ongoing struggles for justice and equality — especially in the workplace, where many LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination, hostility, and legal uncertainty.
As a labor organization, we know that our strength lies in unity. This means standing up for the rights of all our members — including those in the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ rights are not separate from workers’ rights. They are workers’ rights.
A Growing Threat Across the Nation
Across the country, LGBTQ+ Americans — especially trans and nonbinary people — are facing an alarming wave of legislative attacks. Over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in U.S. state legislatures in the past year alone(1). Many of these bills seek to roll back basic protections, limit access to gender-affirming care, restrict what can be said or taught in schools, or allow discrimination under the guise of “religious freedom.”
States like Florida(2), Texas(3), and Tennessee(4) have passed laws banning classroom discussions about LGBTQ+ topics, defunding diversity and inclusion programs, and restricting healthcare for transgender individuals.
While California remains a national leader in upholding civil rights — including robust protections for LGBTQ+ employees — we cannot afford to become complacent. What happens in other states has a ripple effect across the country, shaping national policy debates and emboldening efforts to erode hard-won protections. While California law provides strong legal safeguards, the strength of those protections in practice still depends on vigilant enforcement and strong advocacy.
SLOCEA’s Role in Defending Equality
SLOCEA has always stood for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal treatment for all employees, but our role doesn’t stop at the bargaining table. When lawmakers across the country target LGBTQ+ people, it isn’t just a civil rights issue — it’s a labor issue. These attacks compromise workplace safety, threaten access to benefits, and foster a climate of fear and exclusion. People everywhere deserve to work in an environment where they are treated with dignity and respect, no matter who they are.
As a united workforce, each of us must be proactive in ensuring that LGBTQ+ rights are protected. That means speaking out when discrimination happens, supporting inclusive policies at every level of government, and ensuring that our contracts continue to reflect our values of fairness and equality.
Pride as a Call to Action
Pride Month is not just a celebration of identity — it is a reminder of the ongoing fight for justice. It is rooted in a legacy of resistance, from the Stonewall Uprising to the everyday acts of courage by LGBTQ+ workers who demand to be seen and treated equally.
At SLOCEA, we understand that our power comes from collective action. When we stand together — across lines of race, gender, sexuality, and job classification — we build stronger contracts, more respectful workplaces, and a more just society.
This June, we celebrate our LGBTQ+ members not just with words, but with action. We recommit ourselves to defending their rights and ensuring that every worker has the freedom to live and work without fear; because solidarity isn’t just about fighting for ourselves — it’s about standing up for each other. That’s the foundation of our union, and the true spirit of Pride.
Resources/Citations:
1. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2025
2. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2025?state=FL
3. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2025?state=TX
4. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2025?state=TN
Brooke Daphne
Labor Representative II