Calling all GLBTs, queers and allies!

Your support is needed on the Congress Hotel picket line (Congress and Michigan) during early registration for the Great Lakes Bears, Thursday May 27th 5:00pm-8:00pm. The Great Lakes Bears are inviting people to rent rooms at the Congress Hotel for Bears Pride X in spite of the fact that the hotel's workers have been on strike for nearly a year.

The Congress Hotel is the only downtown hotel that did not sign an agreement with HERE Local 1 last June which would insure a living wage. Instead, the Congress has decided to cut wages and gut health care benefits. The contract that the Congress Hotel refuses to sign includes sexual orientation nondiscrimination language and domestic partnership benefits.

The Great Lakes Bears have been offered several other hotels, including at least one that has offered to match the rates of the Congress. However, The Great Lakes Bears would rather turn their backs on the concerns of the workers (including queer and queer-supportive workers) and cross the picket line.

We're asking all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people to stand in solidarity with the hotel workers! Let the Great Lakes Bears know that every time they cross the picket line it is a slap in the face to workers everywhere, especially the Congress Hotel workers who have served Bear Pride events in the past and the GLBT/queer workers who would be protected against discrimination by the contract the Congress refuses to sign.

Come out to the Congress on Thursday May 27th at 5:00pm to protest the Great Lakes Bears' decision to scab. Bring noise makers, drums, banners and signs. Suggested slogans:
"A Gay Scab Is Still a Scab!"
"Shame on the Great Lakes Bears"
"Real Bears Don't Cross Picket Lines"
"Don't Let Your Daddy Be a Scab!"

GLBT/Queer people are also encouraged to join in the picket line any time during the weekend of Bear Pride & International Mr. Leather (May 27th through May 31st), especially between 10:00am and 8:00pm on Friday May 28th for the Great Lakes Bears' second day of registration.

While you're at it, feel free to express your outrage to: BearPride (at) glbears.com

In solidarity,
The Queer/Trans Caucus of the Chicagoland Anarchist Network (formerly Chicago Anarchist Anti-Authoritarian Autonomist Coalition - CAAAC)

Next meeting of the Q/T Caucus of CAN:
Wednesday June 2nd 7:00pm
UIC Behavioral Sciences Building
(room number will be posted)
Agenda: Reclaiming Pride!
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