Call for LGBT Participation, Mobilization for Million Worker March 10/17

NATIONAL CALL FOR LGBT PARTICIPATION AND MOBILIZATION FOR THE MILLION WORKER MARCH ON OCTOBER 17, 2004 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.



* Read the call below and let us know if you want to endorse! Endorsements are listed on this website.
* Let us know if you can be a local contact in your area or volunteer to bring lgbt marchers to the Million Worker March! Local contacts will be listed on this website.
* Download flyer with call at http://lgbt4millionworkermarch.org/lgbt-mwmleaflet.pdf

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Workers, Join the Million Worker March!

On October 17, 2004, people from across the country will converge on Washington D.C. for the Million Worker March under the slogan, "Organizing in our own name." March demands include jobs, healthcare, a national living wage, repeal of the USA Patriot Act, bringing the troops home now, slashing the military budget, and an end to all racist and discriminatory acts in the workplace and in our communities.

The voices and issues of LGBT workers will be raised at the Million Worker March. We will be there as union members and unorganized employees, unemployed, immigrants and youth, joining hundreds of thousands of other workers and supporters.

We will be there because we need what all workers need: jobs for all, higher wages, shorter hours, and freedom to organize a union if we don’t have one.

We will be at the Million Worker March because we need a movement that is independent of the major parties. The interest of LGBT communities is with other working class people, not corporate greed or with war abroad. We understand that our bosses, the corporate media and the President and Congress work overtime to try to divide us from our co-workers and friends by institutionalized discrimination, harassment and violence, so that all workers suffer by disunity. We understand the long history of racism, sexism, and bigotry in the U.S., and how the corporate divide-and-conquer strategy is designed to hurt all workers.

We demand the dignity, safety, and respect of all peoples, including LGBT people and immigrants. We demand a comprehensive program against hate crimes and discrimination, and assert the right of people to define their own families. This includes the recognition of individuals and families to raise and adopt children without discrimination or deterrence.

We demand an end to the privatization of our jobs and of social security.

Human need should take priority over corporate greed, and we demand affordable housing for all and an end to private profit for health care and drugs. We demand full civil marriage rights, including healthcare benefits for our partners. We demand increased funding for AIDS research and free AIDS medications for the people of Africa and other developing nations.

Join us on October 17th!

Ali Ibreighith, Political Activist, U.A.W., Anaheim, CA

Andre Powell, AFSCME LOCAL 112, Executive Board*

Benjamin Grunde, Holistic Massage Therapist, Ashland,OR

Bob McCubbin, Author of The Roots of Lesbian and Gay Oppression, San Diego, CA

David Ebony Allen Barkley, Alliance of Black Union Workers, MA*

David Mariner, Owner, http://www.temenos.net, The progressive lesbian, gay, bi, trans, & intersex (LGBTI) community online*

Dian Killian, UAW 1981; Pride at Work (AFL-CIO)*

Gale Crooks, Co-Chair, Lapeer County Equal Rights Alliance (LCERA), Michigan*

Gerry Scoppettuolo, co-founder, Gay Men Fight AIDS, Portsmouth, NH*

Gunner Scott, butchdykeboy.com

Henry Millbourne, President, Detroit Black Gay Pride, Inc.*

Holly Richardson, Co-Director, Out Now, Springfield, MA*

Imani Henry, Playwright/Performer, National Writers Union UAW Local 1981*

Jesse Heiwa, Pacifica Radio*

LAGAI-Queer Insurrection from the SF Bay Area

LeiLani Dowell, Candidate for Congress, Peace & Freedom Party

Leslie Feinberg, Co-Chair Nat'l Queer Caucus, National Writers' Union/UAW Local 1981

Letta Neely, writer/activist

Mark Maron, President, Rim & Rotor Repair, Gilsun, NH

Martha Grevatt, Northeast Ohio Pride At Work/UAW Local122*

Metropolitan Community Church of New York City

Minnie Bruce Pratt, lesbian writer, National Writers Union UAW Local 1981*

Noah Sax, Owner, McWheel, Swanzey, NH

Queer Caucus, National Writers Union (UAW Local 1981)

Queer People Of Color Action

Queers For Peace And Justice

Rev. Pat Bumgardner, The Metropolitan Community Church

Solidarity Coalition for Equal Marriage Rights and Against All Forms of Discrimination, Bigotry and Racism(http://www.equalmarriagesolidarity.org)

Steph Simard, Boston area gender queer activist

Stephen Eagle Funk, 1st US military personnel to serve time for resisting current Iraq War, San Francisco, CA

Stonewall Warriors, Boston

Teresa Gutierrez, Vice Presidential Candidate, Workers World Party

* = for id only

Fill in the form at lgbt4millionworkermarch.org to endorse!

Or send an email to lgbt4mwm [at] lgbt4millionworkermarch.org

Click on http://www.millionworkermarch.org to learn more about the Million Worker March.