This summer pride events will take place in towns and cities from coast to coast.

Pride events are an opportunity to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender communities and oppose discrimination and hate.

Pride events are for everyone –regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. CUPW encourages all members to participate.

CUPW supports pride events and full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people because:

1. The struggle to end homophobia and transphobia is part of the overall fight for dignity and respect. CUPW must ensure all members have the same rights in the workplace and in society.
2. Homophobia and transphobia weaken and divide us. We need to be united, especially as we enter a new round of bargaining for those workers covered by the Urban Operations Collective Agreement and we are still working to obtain improved rights and benefits for RSMC.
3. Homophobia and transphobia oppresses through individual acts of verbal and physical harassment and collective actions which result in invisibility, invalidation, and discrimination.
4. Homophobia hurts heterosexuals. It limits how men and women can express themselves.
5. The denial of rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons leads to limitations on the rights of all. Governments that oppress people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity also oppress people on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, and religious beliefs. If lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people can be targeted for discrimination, any other group in the society can also be targeted

Show your Pride!!

Get out and have fun!

For further info & the Vancouver 2010 Pride Parade, please check out  http://www.vancouverpride.ca/

In solidarity,

Lynn Bue
2nd National Vice-President