AFGE Labor Activists Support International Human Rights Defense Act
VANCOUVER, Wash., Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFL-CIO, District 11 affirms its support for, and endorsement of, the International Human Rights Defense Act introduced in the U.S. Senate by sponsor Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and in the U.S. House of Representatives by co-sponsor Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA).
The Act would create a special envoy of the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. The Act was introduced in response to the fact that more than 80 nations have laws criminalizing homosexuality, prohibit public support for the LGBT community, or promote homophobia. In seven countries, homosexuality is punishable by death.
"AFGE has long believed that protecting LGBT people from discrimination and persecution is a critical piece to our work as civil and workers' rights advocates," said AFGE District 11 National Vice President Gerald Swanke. "Federal employees have benefited from the protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in large part due to the ground-breaking lawsuit brought by activist – and federal employee – Frank Kameny after he was terminated from his position as an astronomer in the 1960s."
Since the 1970s federal government agencies have instituted policies and provisions to protect LGBT employees from discrimination. Collective bargaining agreements between agencies and government employees represented by AFGE contain provisions protecting LGBT workers from discrimination, harassment and unreasonable working conditions.
"We salute the co-sponsors of this bill from District 11 including, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jared Polis (D-CO) and Adam Smith (D-WA)," added Swanke.
"In the words of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 'recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,'" said AFGE District 11 Women's Advisory Coordinator Amanda Schroeder.
"AFGE District 11 leadership stands in solidarity with the LGBT community around the world and with their family, friends and neighbors who love and support them in the face of terrible persecution, including the prohibition of finding gainful employment, accessing medical care, seeking justice and the very right to exist as a human being," added Schroeder. "We applaud Senator Markey and Congressman Lowenthal on their courage and conviction to stand for freedom for all people, the freedom from tyranny everywhere, and the right to exist for all people everywhere. Promoting freedom and equality for LGBT men and women further secures the freedom and equality of all persons everywhere."
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. AFGE District 11 represents federal employees in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Guam, Okinawa, Utah and Wyoming. For the latest AFGE news and information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees
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