Pride 2024: No One Left Behind: Equality, Freedom, and Justice for All

The first Pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. They were born out of the struggle for LGTBQ+ liberation and fight for equal rights.

Today, Pride is often associated with celebration, parades, corporate sponsorships, and rainbow-themed merchandise. While there have been significant victories and more mainstream visibility and acceptance, LGBTQ+ people continue to be marginalized and oppressed.

As unionists, we stand behind the motto: “An injury to one is truly an injury to all.” We know how important it is to center our advocacy around the most marginalized groups. While there continues to be widespread attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, recently, we’ve witnessed the escalation of vitriol and aggressions on transgender rights with specific attacks against transgender youth. Governments have used their power to deny transgender and non-binary people youth access to health care, participation in sports, and even the simple act of using the restroom that aligns with their gender.

In Saskatchewan, the government passed its Parents' Bill of Rights, which requires consent from a parent or guardian when a student requests that their preferred name, gender identity, and/or gender expression be used at school. In New Brunswick, a policy change means it is no longer mandatory for teachers to use the preferred pronouns or names of transgender or non-binary students under the age of 16.

Earlier this year, the Alberta provincial government announced sweeping new measures aimed at limiting LGBTQ+ children and youth’s access to gender-affirming health care and stifling discussion of gender identity and sexual diversity in the province’s schools. The legislation also includes a ban on hormonal treatment, puberty blockers and gender-confirmation surgery for children 15 years old and younger, making it the most restrictive rules on gender confirmation in the country.

The anti-trans policies taking root in Canada go beyond discrimination — they present a clear risk to the mental and physical well-being of trans people throughout the country.

Pride is so much more than a celebration. It continues to be a fight for dignity, equality, and safety for everyone. Anti-LGBTQ+ hate is a worker issue, and we must all come together to eliminate this hate. We must ensure that no one is left behind. There is no gay pride without trans pride. There are no gay rights without trans rights.

CUPW has participated and supported pride events across the country for many years, and we encourage members to take part in events in their communities and beyond.

Pride 2024

In solidarity,