‘An injury to one is an injury to all’. That’s the motto from the Industrial Workers of the World, founded in 1905, and has become prevalent once again for millennial and Generation Z workers. This motto must guide the labor movement as it confronts LGBTQIA discrimination at the workplace and within the broader political sphere.

In a recent YPULSE survey, up to 20 percent of millennials identify as LGBTQIA. According to Gallup, 1 in 6 Generation Z adults identify as LGBTIA. These numbers will continue to grow. Conversely, GLAAD identifies a frightening increase of LGBTQIA individuals who say they’ve experienced discrimination in 2021.

This should not be a surprise. Anti-LGBTQ right wing political movements are gaining traction in state legislatures. Politicians are attacking my community daily, seeking to prevent transgender children from playing on school sports teams or denying them access to healthcare. These actions have consequences, and they are being felt my trans and queer people across the country.

The labor movement can become a harbinger for intersectional unionism and protect against discrimination for both the current and emerging LGBTQIA labor force.

In 2016 millennials became the largest generation in the labor force, and since then favorable views of labor unions have risen and remained high according, to Pew Research. Yet, labor union membership remains near 12 percent of all U.S. workers (excluding the self-employed), with only half that employed by private companies and non-profits. For the last decade, membership has remained relatively static with no significant movement even during the COVID19 surge.  

As a member of The Newspaper and Communications Guild – CWA Local 37002, I represent an intersectional unionism that can bring LGBTQIA workers together. Labor unions are well positioned to support and protect the current and emerging LGBTQIA labor force, but unions must take on the fight outside the workplace in a meaningful way. Unions must oppose legislation and political candidates that wish to harm LGBTQIA workers. Most important of all, union must be visible in their opposition.

I’m running for Minnesota State Representative in District 66A to prevent legislative harm to LGBTQIA individuals, workers and families. I’m running because I want every Minnesotan to have a living wage, good benefits, and the ability to join a union if they choose to do so. I want to workers to become empowered and bring democracy to their jobs and to their communities.

I am a candidate who believes an injury to one is an injury to all, and worker solidarity must go beyond the workplace. It must go to the State Capitol and it must be for all workers. Please join with my campaign and together we can build an intersectional unionism to protect LGBTQIA workers in the twenty first century.