Keep Pride political: Queer rights are worker rights

Shay Enxuga (far right) gets set for the Dyke and Trans march in Halifax yesterday with members of Baristas Rise Up.

Last night I marched with Baristas Rise Up (BRU) at the Halifax Dyke and Trans March 2013, and today I will March with Baristas Rise Up at Halifax's Pride Parade.

I am truly proud to stand side by side with my comrades and co-workers in both the queer and labour movements. But as we march I think it’s important to reflect on why BRU is present at Pride.

We live in an age of austerity where young people are competing for fewer and fewer jobs, usually without many of the “benefits” that were fought for and won by workers of the past.

It is no coincidence that queer workers, and workers with marginalized identities, are often the ones who find themselves stuck in the loop of food service work. There are very real systemic barriers that queer and/or trans people face when seeking employment, and so we find ourselves over-represented in the café sector.

Throughout this organizing campaign many people have asked me why I don’t "just go out and find another job?”

The truth is that there aren’t just “better jobs” magically waiting for me out there, somewhere, both because of the conditions of our economic system and also because of the oppression that I experience as a queer and trans person.

But more importantly, I didn’t go “find another job” because I believe in fighting to improve working conditions for all workers.

So we march in Pride both as queers and as workers. Queer rights are workers rights. 

Come like our new facebook page Baristas Rise Up or come to our next BRU Meeting and tell that bosses that "We pull the shots!"

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