Southwest Workers Union stands firmly in support of a local non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity
San Antonio–This week’s disturbing conversations recorded in Councilwoman Elisa Chan’s staff meeting underscore the need to prevent discrimination in public offices and correctly focus the conversation on the proposed ordinance. The legislation itself expressly prohibits religious discrimination, as well as discrimination against veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, and has been revised to alleviate concerns about freedom of speech; however opponents claim that this fight is about ensuring freedoms of speech and religion. This week’s audio from the San Antonio District 9 Councilwoman’s staff meeting reveals that ignorant and hateful rhetoric, under a guise of promoting civil liberties and family values, plays a role in upholding systemic discrimination and holds our community back.
Southwest Workers Union (SWU) applauds the work of organizations, activists, and community members that have participated in hearings, actions, and other necessary forms of civic engagement to push for both legal and social change. As an elected official, Councilmember Chan must be held accountable to all of her constituents, and SWU joins in calls for her resignation. As an organization representing low-income communities of color in South Texas, we understand that our struggles for justice and dignity and intertwined, and part of dismantling discrimination demands that we do not tolerate injustice and hate in any form.
Founded in 1988, the Southwest Workers’ Union (SWU) is an organization of low-income workers, families, community residents, and youth, united in one organizational struggle for worker rights, environmental justice and community empowerment.
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