June 1 marks the beginning of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other gender and sexuality expansive individuals take time to celebrate and reflect on progress made and what lies ahead for the community. Pride Month is celebrated each year in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, where community members fought back against police harassment in New York City.
From the streets of New York City to communities across the globe, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month has grown to feature large-scale celebrations, along with deep reflection and resistance to the increasing legislative attacks against trans, non-binary, and gender expansive people.
More than 300 bills have been introduced across the country that target the rights and personhood of trans, non-binary, and gender expansive people. Much of this legislation specifically targets trans youth. As a result, young people have been rising up across the country to speak out against these attacks. On Trans Day of Visibility, Queer Youth Assemble organized dozens of marches and demonstrations across the country, calling for queer and trans youth autonomy.
This Pride season we connected with two AFGE members who share what Pride Month means to them and the importance of labor involvement in the LGBTQIA+ movement.
Mae apGovannon
Pronouns: They/Them
Mae apGovannon is an eight-year union member currently serving as the District 11 Pride coordinator, AFGE Local 2157 Pride coordinator and Veterans Benefits Administration steward, and member of the AFGE National Pride Workgroup. Mae joined the union on day one, first as a member of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and then becoming an AFGE member when the NFFE local merged with AFGE’s VA medical center local.
Mae believes that Pride month is a time to celebrate the community’s joy and glory. “We are such a diverse community and it’s exciting to me to be a part of building each other up,” Mae said. “I love participating in community events and feeling the love from our allies, too.”
“I’m especially touched when I see kids who identify as LGBTQIA+ attending events with supportive families, because it gives me hope that they will experience a more kind and just world, despite all the legislative efforts that are currently being made to erode their rights,” they said.
The legislative attacks against trans and non-binary people have been unmistakable. Mae says that organized labor can be in solidarity against these attacks by remembering its roots and building power within the working class. “If we can remember that an injury to one is an injury to all, there’s no stopping a united working class — whether that’s through fighting to protect each other’s legal rights or fighting for our rights at the bargaining table,” Mae said. “We have to stand together.”
Mae is excited about the opportunity to grow AFGE’s Pride program because it will give LGBTQIA+ folks a seat at the table. “I want Pride to be a resource that helps everyone in AFGE be a better leader for their members so that we can know how to support each other as well as a safe place to bridge gaps in understanding and celebrate each other,” they said.
Mae wants AFGE members to know that they don’t have to identify as LGBTQIA+ to be included in AFGE Pride. The constituency group is a place for leaders and activists to learn and support each other.
Donna Pixley
Pronouns: She/Her
Donna Pixley is a 19-year union member serving as the executive vice president of AFGE Local 507, representing employees at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. In addition to her union activism, Donna also sits on the board of the Sanctuary of the Treasure Coast, a local non-profit with the goal to build an LGBTQIA+ community center in the area. LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is special to Donna because it means pride and recognition in her community.
As a union activist, Donna believes that it is critical to advocate for issues impacting LGBTQIA+ workers. She has spent years addressing lack of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace and in the union. She says that diversity is at the forefront of most issues.
When it comes to the attacks faced by the trans community in today’s political climate, Donna has a front-row seat living in Florida. “Governor Ron DeSantis has waged war on the trans community. Organized labor must reach out to local LGBTQIA+ groups and provide resources to our trans employees,” Donna said.
In terms of resources, the Office of Personnel Management has released updated guidance for agencies on how to create gender-inclusive workplaces. This guidance aims to incorporate the Biden administration’s priorities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Donna is no stranger to fighting back against anti-LGBTQIA+ laws championed by the governor. Last year she spearheaded her local’s efforts to get union allies involved in staging a protest in West Palm Beach against Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Looking ahead, Donna wants AFGE members to know the importance of growing the union’s Pride Program and advocating for issues of diversity and inclusion. “Nineteen years ago, this was not discussed within the federation,” Donna said. “It is enlightening to see how far we’ve come. And, we still have far to go!”
Join AFGE Women and Fair Practices Departments’ Pride Month Activities
LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Webinar - June 7, 2023 from 7-8 p.m. ET
We have been living through unprecedented and challenging times, and mental health has been impacted in so many ways. Join Deb Friesen, MD, as we learn about LGBTQIA+ mental health. Talking about mental health is not always easy, but it’s important to know how to support our LGBTQIA+ colleagues and friends including how to reduce stigma, spot signs of distress, find LGBTQIA+ competent mental health care, start meaningful judgement-free conversations, and incorporate a gratitude practice into daily life. Dr. Deb Friesen is a board certified internist who practiced medicine in Colorado for over 25 years, first in private practice and then the last 15 years with Kaiser Permanente. You can find more from Dr. Deb on her podcast “Health Views with Deb Friesen”, which is available on your favorite podcast platform - Apple, Spotify and Google.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ne65LNyvQaC8q3E6YUvzfg
Capital Pride Parade and Festival – June 10-11, 2023
WFP and AFGE PRIDE are celebrating LGBTQIA+ pride at Capital Pride in Washington D.C. again this year. Thanks to our many sponsors, we will represent AFGE at the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 3-7:30 p.m. ET and the Capital Pride Festival on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 12-7 p.m. ET.
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/Bxwbb7UGARYoHWWh8
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