Trump Administration Insults All Working People with Anti-LGBTQ Actions

The following is a statement by CWA's Human Rights Committee, chaired by CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings:

Yesterday, President Trump insulted our nation and thousands who are and want to honorably participate in military service by declaring that he will ban transgender Americans from serving in the military.

Now, the Justice Department has taken this assault on Americans a step farther by claiming in an amicus brief that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act doesn’t protect working people from discrimination in the workplace based on their sexual orientation.

These two actions are not only shameful but also set a dangerous precedent that will endanger all working people. 

Candidate Trump claimed that he would be a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ community. Yet, here is another example of President Trump's failure to keep his campaign promises. William Attig, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council, stated, "[In battle]...it doesn’t matter what the race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity is of the person next to you…It only matters if they can put a bullet down range and on target." It's too bad that the Commander-in-Chief doesn’t see it that way.

The Justice Department also tried to slap down the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – the federal agency that looks to stop workplace discrimination – stating, "The EEOC is not speaking for the United States." The EEOC has consistently stated over the years that Title VII bans anti-gay discrimination.

Union members know that solidarity means fighting for all working people. We know that the Trump Administration’s actions yesterday were an assault on all working people. We will fight against the Trump Administration's efforts to denigrate and marginalize Americans based on sexual orientation, and fight for equal protection under the law for all.