Union leaders support same-same marriage rights

With the judges of New York state’s top court poised to rule on same-sex marriage, some two dozen city union leaders weighed in on June 26 to publicly demand an end to state discrimination against equal rights for lesbian, gay, bi and trans couples.

SEIU 1199 health-care workers’ union President Dennis Rivera said, “We … support the right of same-sex couples to access the full and equal rights, responsibilities and economic benefits of civil marriage, and [we] oppose laws and constitutional amendments that deny that right.”

United Federation of Teachers Presi dent Randi Weingarten stated succinctly, “All New Yorkers who want to marry should be allowed to do so, period.”

UNITE HERE General President Bruce Raynor said he is committed to “fighting against injustice in any and all forms.” The Hotel Workers Rising campaign of UNITE HERE reached out in solidarity to the LGBT movement at Pride Month events, showing support with rainbow T-shirts, stickers and placards calling for support for contract rights.

—Leslie Feinberg