AFT Massachusetts proudly joins our LGBTQ+ members, students, and community members in celebrating Pride Month throughout June.
The modern gay rights movement began in June 1969 with the Stonewall Uprising, when Black trans people, gay men, and lesbians protested against police brutality and harassment at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The Stonewall Uprising led to the first widespread LGBTQ+ organizing in the labor movement. In 1970, the American Federation of Teachers became the first federal labor union to pass a resolution opposing discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Over the years, AFT Massachusetts has been a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace and throughout society. Most recently, we were a major backer of the Yes on 3 campaign to support Massachusetts’ non-discrimination law protecting transgender people in public spaces.
This month, the fight for LGBTQ+ equity won a major victory with the 6-3 Supreme Court decision that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects queer and trans workers from being discriminated against at work. But there’s still a lot of work to do to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are fully protected from bias and discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and public services, as well as at work. And even in places like Massachusetts with laws that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ workers, labor unions are often the ones making sure those laws are enforced.
Looking for ways to celebrate Pride Month with your students and community? AFT’s Share My Lesson has a set of free Pride Month lesson plans, activities and resources here: https://sharemylesson.com/collections/pride-month