Now it is time for the rest of us to show some of that same courage, and to stand in solidarity with our gay brothers and lesbian sisters. They are our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, spouses, and our friends. We in the labour movement must fight homophobia in a number of arenas. Negotiating collective agreement language to ensure that all members have the same rights and receive the same benefits must be a priority. The workplace must be kept free of homophobic harassment.
Political action is required as well, and public campaigning on the issue.
We must be prepared to take legal action to obtain rights and benefits denied by discriminatory statute. Within our own ranks, gay and lesbian participation in the union should be encouraged and promoted. Education is essential, both to prepare our activists for concerted and effective work in this area, and to counter homophobia which too often discourages gay and lesbian members from active participation in the union. Finally, the active participation of all of our rank and file in confronting and eliminating discrimination against lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the labour movement, in the workplace and in society, is a necessary goal to be achieved if we hope to be effective. In the Mossop case, a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that both the union and the employer had discriminated against the complainant when he was denied bereavement leave to attend the funeral of his partner's father.