PROTEC17 marched in this year’s Seattle Pride Parade on June 29. Staff, members, and their families joined with MLK Labor and many other unions to support and celebrate our LGBTQ+ members and friends.
This is the first time that PROTEC17 had a contingency in the parade, though many of our members march with the government agencies for which they work.
Pride month is celebrated each June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which marked a tipping point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. This year was the 50th anniversary of the uprising and was commemorated with events throughout the country, including in this year’s Seattle Pride Parade.
Under new leadership, PROTEC17 is making strides to be a stronger support system for our members, especially those from historically marginalized communities, and to be at the forefront of progressive issues that impact our members, their families, and our communities.
“It’s important for PROTEC17 to represent at the Pride Parade because it shows that we are an inclusive union,” said Union Representative Steven Pray, pictured with the ‘Proud to be Union’ sign below. “It shows that we are a progressive organization that supports all workers, regardless of who they love.”
Member leader Anne Alfred also marched in the parade, passing out PROTEC17 rainbow stickers to thousands of parade-goers who lined 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle.
“I loved marching in the Pride Parade,” said Alfred. “Unions fight for workers’ rights, and workers’ rights are human rights. The parade was a fun way to celebrate that we fight for all workers, no matter who people are, and no matter how we all live in the world.”
You can find more images from the parade on our Facebook page: facebook.com/PROTEC17.