4-02-08, 9:21 am

UNITE HERE, the union representing workers in the textile, clothing, hotel and restaurant industries, has called for equal access to marriage and its benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers.

In a resolution adopted by the union's General Executive Board last week, the union said it would 'support the rights of LGBT individuals and couples against discrimination in all areas including employment, housing and civil marriage.'

Nancy Wohlforth, co-President of Pride at Work, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender constituency group of the AFL-CIO, praised UNITE HERE's action, saying 'this is a tremendous statement of solidarity with LGBT workers on the part of a major American union. It sends a clear message to employers and lawmakers that the labor movement will not tolerate discrimination against any of its members, in marital status as well as housing and employment.'

UNITE HERE joins a growing number of unions that have endorsed civil marriage quality. They include the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Communications Workers of America (CWA), the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Farm Workers.

UNITE HERE's membership is broadly diverse, with many women and people of color as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers. The resolution was submitted by UNITE HERE General President Bruce Raynor and Hospitality President John Wilhelm, and passed unanimously.

The resolution also pointed out the pitfalls inherent in trying to create marriage-like legal statuses that are not called marriage. 'Civil union and domestic partnership laws, however well intentioned, create an unequal legal status for same-sex couples and their families,' the resolution said.

Pride at Work co-President T Santora called on more unions to follow the example of UNITE HERE. 'Labor has championed the rights of minorities and disadvantaged groups for generations,' he said. 'It's time for the entire movement to rise to the defense of LGBT workers, and demand equal access to marriage as well as employment and housing.'

For further information, please contact Pride at Work Executive Director Jeremy Bishop at 202-637-5014, or jbishop@aflcio.org, or Pride at Work Communications Director Donna Cartwright at 202-637-3988 or dcartwri@aflcio.org, or Cleve Jones of UNITE HERE, 760-567-2405, clevejones@aol.com. For the full text of the resolution, visit our website, or .