Queer Notes: A Few Good Moments in the Life of a Queer Labor Organizer-I’m a Lucky Guy

SEIU Local 790 marched yesterday after our annual membership convention
PHOTOS BY LUKE THOMAS

As most know, I work for SEIU Local 790. Our union represents over 30,000 workers and we have members who live in Richmond, Sacramento, Fremont, San Francisco, and Stockton. The bulk of our membership is in San Francisco and I spend most of my time there. But I do get to work with my brothers and sisters in Stockton, especially during the Stockton strike about a year and a half ago. And as an out Trannie, I sometimes get the privilege of explaining what Transgender is to a member from Stockton who has never heard the word before in his life.

I’m a lucky guy to be part of the Labor community.

Or sometimes I get the privilege of being part of an effort to educate my LGBT brothers and sisters about why we need to support the boycott of the hotels by HERE Local 2 in San Francisco. Last night, GLAAD had its annual fundraising dinner at Fort Mason instead of at the boycotted hotel, the St.Francis. Supervisor Dufty who had pushed hard on GLAAD to move their dinner and honor the boycott sold ten tables to help them recoup their losses from moving the event. I'm sure GLAAD appreciated his efforts, but in an open letter about why they moved, GLAAD said, "We have, instead, elected to act on what we do know–that in this as in all situations, GLAAD must be guided by its foundational commitment to the pursuit of fairness and equality for all. Finally, that must be our bottom line."

I’m a lucky guy to be part of the LGBT community.

Both of my communities, the Labor community and the LGBT community will be under attack during the next year. The LGBT community will be facing an initiative on the June 2006 ballot that will ban same sex marriage and the Labor community will be facing an initiative that will silence the voice of Labor by making it nearly impossible for members to contribute political money to oppose Schwarzenegger or any other right winger. Neither initiative is endorsed by Schwarzenegger, but both are being moved by the people who back him.- people that have been empowered by his election.

Yesterday, our union met to start planning the battle to fight Schwarzenegger’s special election. Hundreds and hundreds of members rallied in Berkeley and we spent a good portion of the day educating folks about the initiatives that Arnold is moving. Congresswoman Barbara Lee spoke, former Congressman Ron Dellums was the key note speaker, and Phil Angelides and Steve Westly stumped about their respective campaigns for Governor. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by. Arnold is expected to announce that he is calling the Special Election on Monday at 5:01PM.

Labor is and will continue to face over the coming years one of the most intense fights ever, particularly in California. Recently I went to a lecture by Bill Fletcher, longtime labor activist and President of TransAfrica. He argued that the Right is simply making a pre-emptive strike, hoping to knock us completely out of the game. The same could be said of what the Right is trying to accomplish in their attack on the LGBT community. Last fall, eight more states passed laws that prohibit same sex marriage and domestic partner benefits.

There are obvious and natural coalitions to be made and I’m going to my best to be part of making them. If you have some time, try to make some coalitions of your own. A lot is at stake over the next year or so, and our respective movements could use your help. I’m happy to report that Molly McKay, from Equality California, spoke at Local 790’s rally yesterday about same sex marriage. SEIU Local 790 supports same sex marriage and wants to do the walk, not just the talk.


Molly McKay talking to Vice President Maria Guillen prior to her speech on Marriage Equality. Pride at Work Co-Chair Sally Buchman watches on.


On Tuesday, Equality California is coming to the United Farm Workers rally to kick-off the Gallo Boycott. Equality California is walking the walk of being a great coalition partner. You could too if you show up on Tuesday at noon on the front steps of City Hall for the UFW press conference.

The SF Labor Council , which represents 80,000 workers in San Francisco, is going to do a forum for rank and file members to educate them on how marriage equality is an economic justice issue. SEIU International passed a resolution supporting same sex marriage, so it isn’t just a San Francisco thing. Great work is being done. Coalitions are being made. And we hope history too.

And if you want, you could be lucky too.




SEIU Local 790 takes it to the streets


Mary Sanders, James Bryant, Henrietta Lee, David Tuner, and Faye Roe


Arnold and me duking it out


Convention organizer Gilda Valdez in orange vest directing the march


Sally Buchman and Denise D'Anne, Local 790 members

Arnold is taking on the kids again.