The new Steel Pride Working group kicked off its first meeting in December 2023, bringing together Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + (2SLGBTQIA+) Steelworkers from across the three Canadian districts. The initiative was born out of a resolution to the National Policy Conference in April 2023, which called on the union to create a national working group for 2SLGBTQIA+ Steelworkers.
The new group has an ambitious agenda, working to develop educational materials and resources for members, locals and staff, considering how to increase visibility of 2SLGBTQIA+ Steelworkers and help break down the isolation many rainbow community members feel, especially outside large urban centres.
With the goal of breaking down isolation and bringing people together across the country, the working group has already hosted two online Steel Pride Network meetings – in February and May, open to all Steelworkers who identify as part of the rainbow community. The next network meeting will be in November.
There will be other sessions over the next few months for allies and those who wish to better understand issues like sharing pronouns and why it’s important for solidarity, as well as how to be a good ally to members of equity-seeking groups. The group has also helped create two new postcards aimed at educating members about homophobia and transphobia and what it means to be an ally.
Excitingly, the working group will also help support locals who want to get involved in their local pride, launching a seasonal USW Pride store online.
Want to know more about 2SLGBTQIA+ Steelworkers? Visit: usw.ca/steelpride
Check out our new glossary with helpful definitions, along with new and updated resources.
This article appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of USW@Work magazine.
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