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Toronto, Ont. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario and its members at over two dozen agencies in Toronto are unstoppable when it comes to providing vital and sometimes specially-tailored public services to the Queer and Trans communities in Toronto, and to fighting to ensure that those services are kept strong.
That’s the message that CUPE Ontario and its members will send as they march in both the Dyke March and the Pride Parade under the theme Public Services for the Queer Nation.
We want everyone to know how proud we are to be an integral part of the Queer and Trans communities, says Fred Hahn, the first gay-elected Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Ontario. Our members know how important the unique needs of Queer and Trans folks are to making Toronto a strong city and we are committed to delivering those services.
When it comes to health needs, we’ve got the community covered, staffing agencies including the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Voices of Positive Women, PWA Toronto and the Y.M.C.A., says Hahn. We support queer and trans communities through our work at the 519 Centre, Central Neighbourhood House, Dixon Hall and Social Services at Wellesley and Jarvis among others.
CUPE members also include a number of diverse groups including Fudger House for seniors, Anduyhaun for native women, and Operation Springboard for youth. Its workers also ensure safe, quality education at the Church Street Public School, Ryerson and U of T.
As a testament to the union’s commitment on Queer and Trans issues like fighting for full coverage of costs for sex reassignment surgery, CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan and Executive Board members will join Hahn in Sunday’s Pride Parade.
CUPE Ontario’s Pink Triangle Committee continues to push the envelope when it comes to ensuring that the rights of Queer and Trans people are upheld in workplaces and providing education to fight homophobia, adds Hahn.
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For further information, contact:
Valerie Dugale, CUPE Communications 647-225-3685
Fred Hahn, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE Ontario 416-540-3979
