Big Labor Move For Gay Marriage

[Omaha Steve]

I just noticed for the first time GLBT and Labor are next to each other on my forum screen. :-)

http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19870381&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=569342&rfi=6

By: DUNCAN OSBORNE
07/24/2008

A California labor group that represents 1,200 union locals and 2.1 million union members in that state voted unanimously on July 23 to oppose Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that would amend that state's constitution to bar same-sex marriages and could nullify the marriages that gay men and lesbians entered into starting on June 16.

"It's huge from a number of perspectives," said Steve Smith, a principal at the Dewey Square Group, a consulting firm, and the campaign manager of Equality for All, the coalition that opposes Proposition 8. "What you've got is somewhere between a million-and-a-half and two million households that are now going to be contacted about Proposition 8 by their unions and told why they should vote no... Needless to say, we are more than little excited."

The resolution from the California Labor Federation said the group will "put forth energy and resources to educate and mobilize its members to vote against Proposition 8, and encourage its twenty-three member Central Labor Councils to do the same."

Additionally, the voter guides and slate cards that the federation distributes to members will recommend a no vote on the proposition.

"I understand the power of the state labor federation," said Smith who once served as California's labor secretary. "I suspect this is the first time that any state federation has ever engaged in one of these battles."

When it comes to convincing voters, having union members talking to friends and colleagues is very powerful as those are some of the sources that voters trust the most.

FULL story at link.

Cross post in Labor.

[dsc]

1. I think of what union meant in my part of the country when I grew up

and this blows my mind. I know the type of workers in unions have changed a great deal over time but this is still just so impressive.

[terrya]

2. Recommended

This is yet another reason why I'm so optimistic that Prop 8 will be defeated.

And yet again why unions are so important. :-)

[HockeyMom]

3. You are very lucky to be in Ca.

and have these organizations fighting for you and educating people. It is up for a vote in Florida too. No outrage, no organization, no nothing.

I will vote no here, but I am afraid in this state, in the Bible Belt, this will pass.

[Frances]

4. Sadly, I think you are right about Florida

But if CA defeats the measure to take away same sex marriage, I predict that sometime in the future peope in other states will see that the world didn't end and begin to be more tolerant.

I remember when the parents of my Alabama friends argued that it was against God's will for blacks to be treated as equal to whites. Not many people fight for segregation anymore. I hope that the same thing will happen with gays, as I had a cousin on my mother's side of the family as well as a cousin on my father's side of the family who was gay. My first husband had several gay cousins as well. So I know for a fact that there are gays in Alabama who deserve to be treated with respect.