Summer’s finally here and with it, Pride season! Thousands of British Columbians will celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and two-spirit community with festivities and parades.

UFCW 1518 works hard to be a supportive ally to our members who identify with the LGBTQ2+ community. The union offers a free online course for members and their families about building inclusion in the workplace. Another resource is a guide to creating local Pride committees, which explains the importance of the labour movement’s participation in Pride activities, and how to build allyship through education and member engagement.

In 2012, UFCW Canada signed a mutual support agreement with EGALE Canada to recognize a shared commitment to equality, diversity and social justice. Together with EGALE Canada and the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health, UFCW Canada advocated for the legal protection of transgender people.

This advocacy contributed to the passage of Bill C-16, which adds protection of gender identity and expression to the Human Rights Code and the Criminal Code, offering another reason for celebration this year. “Providing transgender people with the same protections under the law that other Canadians enjoy is a significant victory,” comments Ivan Limpright, president of UFCW 1518. “Trans people suffer discrimination in all areas but particularly in their work lives, where they experience double the unemployment rate as the general population. We need to keep doing all we can ensure they are treated fairly and with respect.”

The UFCW 1518 Executive Board is organizing members to walk in the parade in the following locations:

July 8 Prince George

July 9 Victoria

August 6 Vancouver Pride

September 3 Kootenay Pride