ATU Celebrates Pride Month
On June 28, 1969, the first major protest for LGBTQIA+ rights was born. After a police raid of a popular gay club in New York City called the Stonewall Inn turned violent after members of the LGBTQIA+ community and sympathizers fought back. Although we have come such a long way, even today, LGBTQIA+ people are still under constant attack, especially trans people and people of color.
LGBTQIA+ ATU Heroes
Pride Month was first recognized in 1994 when a coalition of education-based organizations in the U.S. designated October as LGBT History Month. The federal government first recognized the month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.” In 2009, President Barack Obama declared June LGBT Pride Month. On 1 June 2021, President Joe Biden declared June LGBTQ Pride Month. This past June, the ATU was honored to recognize our own LGBTQIA+ members who have made a difference in their Locals, our Union, and their communities.
MICHAEL CORNELIUS - ATU International Vice President
Brother Michael Cornelius became a member of Local 1433-Phoenix, AZ, in 2000 when he was hired as a bus operator for Phoenix Transit, now Valley Metro. With the desire to become more involved, he rose through the ranks, serving as a Shop Steward, the Local’s Recording Secretary, an Executive Board member, and Vice President. In 2012, he was elected Financial Secretary and helped lead the Local to financial stability. In 2017, Cornelius was appointed Joint Industry Council Coordinator by the late International President Larry Hanley and helped establish the JIC. Recognizing his talents and success with our Locals, International President John Costa, in January 2020, appointed him as an International Representative where he played an important role for our Locals across the Western states in negotiations, contract campaigns, and other issues. On April 18, 2024, Costa appointed Brother Cornelius as an International Vice President. As an out member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Cornelius fights passionately for equality and justice for all workers, making a positive impact on our Union, including contributing to ATU’s history by lending his support to the formation of ATU’s Pride Caucus. We’re proud to call Brother Cornelius a member of our ATU family.
EMILY GROOM - Local 107-Hamilton, ON
Sister Emily Groom joined Local 107-Hamilton, ON, as a Hamilton Street Railway Company (HSR) Transit Operator in June 2018. She proudly serves as Co-Chair of ATU Canada’s Equity & Inclusion Committee. Sister Groom has been part of 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and organizing in Hamilton for more than 15 years. Sister Groom is also a founding member of the Women and Liminal Committee, a past board member of Hamilton Pride Festival Inc., a board member and group facilitator for Hamilton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Wellness Centre, and was the owner and operator of the now closed Steel Lounge, one of Hamilton’s lost queer-owned, queer-centering bar and event spaces. A student of the entwined history of organized labour, the 2SLGBTQAI+ community, and activism, Sister Groom believes in the power of the labour movement in securing rights for all workers and its role as a leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our working environments. She lives in Hamilton with her partner, their two daughters, and two dogs. We applaud Sister Groom for her work to promote tolerance and acceptance of all people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
CRYSTAL MCGEE LEE - Local 256-Sacramento, CA
Local 256-Sacramento, CA, Sister Crystal McGee Lee, is the first African American Lesbian Local President/Business Agent in the ATU. Sister McGee Lee joined Sacramento Regional Transit as a Bus Operator in 2003 and quickly moved up the leadership ranks in the Local. She was elected to the Executive Board only a year and a half after joining her Local. Sister McGee Lee served as Recording Secretary and Vice President before being elected as President/Business Agent of the Local in 2023. As an advocate for the fair treatment of all people regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, she is the Vice President of the ATU Pride Caucus. A former professional basketball player, a deacon at the Integrated Spiritual Center, and proud member of the Alpha Upsilon Omega Fraternity, Sister McGee Lee prides herself on representing her Local, and our Union to promote the values of our hardworking members each and every day.
CARLOS MAYORGA -Local 758-Tacoma, WA
Local 758-Tacoma, WA, Brother Carlos Mayorga (he/him/his) serves as Interim President of the Local 758 Transit Togetherness Pride Caucus (TTPC), the first Local Pride Caucus of its kind in the ATU. Brother Mayorga was hired as a Transit Operator for Pierce Transit in 2019, leaving a career in writing and editing to follow his lifelong love for public transit. Brother Mayorga, along with four other members of Local 758 who identify as LGBTQIA+, formed the TTPC in November 2023 to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ members and allies within the Local and to address issues of discrimination to ensure that all members feel safe to be proud and out in the workplace. We applaud Brother Mayorga for his commitment and dedication to fighting for inclusion and diversity.