Unifor recognizes and invites all members to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility on March 31. This annual day celebrates the value and resilience of transgender people both within the union and around the world.
Trans people are those who identify with a gender other than the one assigned at birth, and exist within all countries, communities and religious groups around the world. This identity is separate from an individual’s sexual orientation.
Unifor wishes to honour trans and non-binary members, who continue to help build our union and strengthen our movement. We thank them for their visibility, bravery and vulnerability.
Through their contributions and labour our union and society is made better, more educated and compassionate.
All people are born free and equal. Unifor condemns laws, societal and social discrimination and oppression targeting trans and non-binary people. This oppression is present in our workplaces, our union, and our communities. The violence faced by trans members is often amplified by racism, sexism, ableism and other forms of discrimination.
The LGBTQ community in Canada is disproportionately affected by the economic effects of pandemic because of structural discrimination that results in more trans people living in homelessness, and working in low-wage and precarious jobs.
In addition, discrimination against trans people is ever present in access to medical care. Trans people have, overall, less access to healthcare, including primary care physicians.
As we consider the immediate and long term affects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Unifor asks members to fight for the most oppressed among us. Future fiscal stimulus, job creation and public services must work for everyone, including trans people in Canada.
Unifor asks members to share a message of support and solidarity today, on the Trans Day of Visibility.