Washington, DC – UNITE HERE is celebrating this Pride season by taking part in Pride events in 32 cities across North America, a representation of the union’s deep commitment to LGBTQ rights. Twenty-nine separate UNITE HERE affiliates will participate in or hold Pride actions, including in conservative states in the deep South.

Legendary LGBTQ leader Cleve Jones, the originator of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, is a long-time gay rights activist and leader with UNITE HERE. “Lots of people talk about the struggle, but we get the work done,” said Mr. Jones. “Through collective bargaining, we win contracts that cover LGBTQ workers, even in conservative states. I’m proud to be a union leader at UNITE HERE, where our union has blazed a trail and delivered real wins that transform the lives of LGBTQ workers by protecting us from discrimination and harassment at work and providing us with the healthcare we need.”

UNITE HERE’s longstanding history of LGBTQ activism spans decades. By staking out this ground early and winning contract language barring sexual discrimination for workers, over 200,000 UNITE HERE members have contracts that prohibit their employer from discriminating based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Additionally, UNITE HERE was the first union in North America to formally ratify a resolution explicitly stating our support for LGBTQ workers, and we remain committed to economic, social, and political justice for all workers regardless of sexual orientation. National leadership for the union also reflects the deep commitment to LGBTQ rights, with openly out leaders serving UNITE HERE at high ranks.

UNITE HERE will participate in 2019 Pride events in the following cities: Anchorage, Alaska; Asbury Park, N.J.; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Forest Park, Ill.; Honolulu; Houston; Indianapolis; Las Vegas; Long Beach, Calif.; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; New Orleans; New York City; Oakland, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Phoenix; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Portland, Ore.; Sacramento, Calif.; San Diego; San Francisco; San Jose, Calif.; Seattle; St. Louis; Toronto; and Vancouver, British Columbia.