AGMA is proud to be a union with incredible LGBTQIA+ members. June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, take stock of the progress we’ve made toward equality, and assess the work still to be done.
This year, we must recognize that, all across the country, there is a concerted and coordinated effort to roll back hard-fought freedoms for the LGBTQIA+ community and to attack the liberty and dignity of transgender and gay youth, in particular. In-state legislatures across the country there are hundreds of bills, some already enacted, that represent an all-out attack on the LGBTQIA+ community. Governments across the country, notably in Texas and Florida, aim to deprive LGBTQIA+ individuals of their First Amendment rights at work, strip human beings of their identities, deprive gay and trans youth of access to healthcare, and criminalize compassionate, accepting parenting. In total, this wide-scale effort seeks to erase the right of LGBTQIA+ individuals to safely exist as who they are, within their bodies.
LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. AGMA remains a supportive voice for LGBTQIA+ rights and an ally. No one should have to continue to face discrimination, hate, and violence in their daily lives. The persecution must stop.
One of the most common ways people celebrate Pride is by attending Pride Parades that are hosted by hundreds of cities across America and the world. AGMA is sharing a link that contains a comprehensive listing of many of the Pride parades and other related events that will be happening this month and beyond.
AGMA joins in celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community with our members, affiliate unions, and colleagues in the performing arts industry.
RESOURCES:
- The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) has a number of resources that offer support throughout the entire year, including social and emotional resources for BIPOC LGBTQIA+ Communities. This links to a national list of organizations that provide a variety of forms of support and resources.
- GLAAD resource list includes links to in-depth resources and organizations.
- The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing LGBTQIA+ crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to young people under 25. Hotline: 866.488.7386.
- The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, the country's first and only technical assistance resource center focused on improving the quality of services and supports older adults, their families, and caregivers.
- The Center, offers the LGBTQIA+ communities of NYC advocacy, health and wellness programs; arts, entertainment, and cultural events; recovery, parenthood, and family support services.
- As your direct line to your union, members of AGMA’s professional staff are here to assist you every step of the way. A staff representative and business representative have been assigned to each AGMA signatory company to work with the members to negotiate and enforce the collective bargaining agreement and protect members’ rights. If you believe you are experiencing harassment or discrimination at work, please contact your AGMA representative. Find your rep here.