Albany, June 26, 2015 — New York State United Teachers released the following statement about the Supreme Court’s marriage equality decision:
“NYSUT applauds today’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality nationwide, a decision that is the culmination of a fight for justice over several decades by brave lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates and their allies.
“Across the country, LGBTQ workers aren’t treated fairly. In too many states, they can be fired based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. They experience harassment and discrimination on the job. They earn less than their straight co-workers and they don’t have equal access to benefits like health care. This decision is a tremendous step forward but there is so much more work to be done.
“For too long, lesbian and gay Americans have been denied the right to marry the person they love. Today, all of us can celebrate this amazing step forward and commit to continuing to be on the frontlines of the fight for equality in the workplace and in every place.”
Delegates to NYSUT’s 2013 Representative Assembly created a task force to address issues specific to its LBGTQ members and to provide support and advocacy for those members.
In today’s 5-4 decision, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy declared, “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
Related Resources