Support for our American and Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ siblings

The United Steelworkers union’s Steel Pride National Working Group is expressing its solidarity and concern for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Questioning, Intersex and Asexual plus (2SLGBTQIA+) Steelworkers in the United States, their families and our extended 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, right across America.

We are very worried about our 2SLGBTQIA+ siblings south of the border and the mounting discrimination and hate that they face. The executive orders signed by U.S. President Donald Trump are hateful and will create even more hostile and dangerous conditions for members of our community.

Executive orders thus far include the anti-trans executive order, of the dystopian title “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.”

This order would end the legal recognition of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people and limit sex and gender to male and female, under federal law. This ignores both the lived experience of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people as well as the consensus of the medical community – including every single major medical association in America, while giving the green light to allow government-sponsored discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and removing protections against such discrimination.

Part of the executive order would mean trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people would no longer be able to access new or renewed passports reflecting their gender identity. The changes would also allow the state to place incarcerated trans people in the prison of their gender assigned at birth, meaning that trans women would be forced into men’s prisons, where their safety could be in extreme jeopardy.  (You can find more information on this executive order here.)

As a group, we want to emphasize the absolute necessity of believing people’s experience of their own gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. We cannot allow the government of the day to decide one’s gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

Another day one executive order targeted workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, mandating an end to DEI policies, programs, preferences, and activities throughout the federal government, including instructing the termination of all equity-related grants and contracts. This change targets members of our community, particularly those who are from racialized groups or newcomer communities or those with disabilities. This attack on diversity and fairer workplaces cuts right across all equity-seeking groups.

There were also two executive orders targeting trans youth. The first executive order bans youth under 19 from accessing puberty blockers or other medical gender-affirming procedures or processes. It would also end any federal funding for organizations or agencies providing these services. The inability to access long-proven puberty blockers will have devastating consequences for trans youth, who are most at risk of violence, harassment, and related depression, anxiety and self-harm.

The second executive order ends federal funding for gender education in the public school system and for teacher education and allows for the prosecution of teachers who support youth in transition.

Educators and education workers are crucial support to 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth. Those employed in the education system on either side of the border are workers who also have the right to a safe workplace that is free from unjust persecution.

In our union, there is no place for hate. In Canada, we are watching with alarm as hateful rhetoric targeting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people is being mimicked and spread here, with our own national roots of hate growing in tandem. We will work hard to fight back with determination, by building bridges with other trade unionists and community allies.

Social progress cannot be taken for granted. Hard-won achievements and gains that are now years or even decades old, such as access to safe abortion, can be rescinded. As proud trade unionists and 2SLBTQIA+ Steelworkers, we will fight to protect what we have, for what we want and for what we need – and that includes decent work, safe and affordable housing, inclusive health care that recognizes who we are and the dignity, respect and freedom to live as our authentic selves. These values extend beyond our community and all equity-seeking groups, as we want this for all people, irrespective of borders.

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