Union resolves to fight for rights for LGBT community and relaunches "Sleep with the Right People" website

The Mixer, May, 2008

Union resolves to fight for rights for LGBT community and relaunches
"Sleep with the Right People" website

In a landmark resolution passed at UNITE HERE’s General Executive Board meeting held in April, a resolution supporting the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered/Transsexual (LGBT) individuals and couples was passed unanimously.

The resolution, co-sponsored by UNITE HERE Presidents John Wilhelm and Bruce Raynor, reads:

UNITE HERE will make it a collective bargaining and legislative goal to ensure that all members enjoy equal rights and benefits. We will support the rights of LGBT individuals and couples against discrimination in all areas including employment, housing and civil marriage. We will oppose policies, laws and constitutional amendments that seek to deny or overturn such rights and we will continue to welcome, respect and value LGBT workers within our Union.

In correspondence announcing the resolution sent to all affiliates, Brother Wilhelm stated that, “UNITE HERE must take a clear, public position given the ongoing discrimination, harassment and violence visited upon this community, and that the union recognizes the important support we have received from the LGBT community in our union’s organizing campaigns.”

He added that in addition to unquestionably deserving our support, the LGBT community spends over $60 billion annually on travel, with vigorous competition by all the major hotel companies vying for LGBT business. UNITE HERE has had a website on the internet for a number of years describing LGBT “friendly” hotels, where union members work throughout North America and where travelers and event organizers can learn useful information about our UNITE HERE and our Hotel Workers Rising! program.

Gay Pride events will take place over the coming months in or near every UNITE HERE city throughout North America.

Last year, UNITE HERE participated in 14 such events with UNITE HERE affiliates in attendance reporting tremendous support from participants and observers, with contingents being met with terrific cheers and goodwill in every march we joined. The union has set a goal to participate in at least 25 cities this year.