Topic: To Our Allies: Out & About In the Workplace
Present: Chris Davis - CEIU, Chris Gagne - Nat, Meconnen Beyene - AGR, Rob Shaw - UTE, Craig Wood - UTE, Cathy Moar - CEIU, Robert Gosselin - CEIU, Barb Kristjansson - AGR, Marc Danis - Nat, Darlene McClure - AGR, Tina Matias-Bouchard - Nat. Jocelyne Poirier – PSAC Rep
Regrets: Don Rogers, Cheryl McClelland, Hycinth Jayasuriya
Panelists:
• Chad Smith, Executive Director, Rainbow Resource Centre (in person)
• Reece Lagartera, Education Coordinator, Rainbow Resource Centre (in person)
• Sharleen Patterson, Female GLBT Rep on PSAC National Equal Opportunities Committee (via teleconference)
• Timothy Hunt, GLBT Rep on the PSAC Prairie Region Council (via teleconference)
• Karoline Klug, Executive VP of Human Rights, National Component (via videoconference)
From the Meeting Poster: PRIDE season and the May 17th International Day Against Homophobia and are just around the corner! We invite all allies and equity members to join us for “To Our Allies: Out & About in the Workplace” – a panel discussion of everything you wanted to know to better understand and become stronger allies of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans (GLBT) persons in your workplace and in your community.
Meeting called to order at 17:15 by Chris Davis. Introductions were completed of both attendees and panellists.
Elections:
Don Rogers resigned as chair due to Component workload issues.
• Chris Davis was nominated by Don Rogers and seconded by Marc Danis and acclaimed to the position of Chair.
• Marc Danis was nominated for Secretary by Chris Davis and seconded by Darlene McClure and acclaimed to the position.
• Darlene McClure was nominated for Treasurer by Cathy Moar and seconded by Marc Danis and acclaimed to the position.
Panel discussion commenced with questions introduced by the moderator, Chris Davis, and responses provided by combinations of panellists. Questions from the floor addressed in the same manner. In general terms, the discussion focused on:
• What do all the letters in GLBTTIQQ stand for?
• What are some past triumphs and current struggles of the Pride Community and in the workplace?
• What do Pride Community Members want/need in the workplace?
• What is the cost of anti-gay behaviour in the workplace?
• What is an appropriate response to gay slurs and discriminating behaviour in the workplace?
• What is trans? What is the difference between sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression? What hurdles to trans persons face in the workplace and the community?
• How do I make allies with hetero co-workers, what are the benefits
• How do we work towards GLBT being recognized within workplace Diversity Committees? Diversity means more than the four officially recognized Employment Equity groups?
• What do we hope for in the future? Give us a bullet list review of being GLBT in the workplace 2020.
The May 17th International Day Against Homophobia was discussed and visibility posters, pamphlets, and reference materials were handed out.
There were multiple paper handouts distributed. A request has been made to upload utilized resources to the Winnipeg HRC website
Resources included:
Canada Labour Congress Booklet
To Our Allies: Everything you ever wanted to know about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Issues
Canada Labour Congress Booklet:
Workers in Transition: A Practical Guide for Union Representatives
Heritage Canada Booklet
Out and About - Towards a better understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons in the workplace
Meeting adjourned 18:55