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LGBT Workers

PSI is committed to equality for all irrespective of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, national identity, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion, at the workplace, in trade unions and in the broader political, social, economic and cultural context. LGBT workers’ rights are trade union rights, and trade union rights are human rights. Trade unions are committed to fight against discrimination and for an inclusive non-violent society.

Freedom at Work Conference

24 May 2016

The Freedom at Work Conference, organized in parallel with Europride 2016 in Amsterdam, will take place on 4-5 August 2016. This world conference is to activate trade union members, staff and officials and (potential) allies for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenders and intersex (LGBTI) workers.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia (IDAHOT 2016)

17 May 2016
PSI LGBT

Homophobia or transphobia, in any form, is damaging and even life-threatening. We stand in solidarity with LGBTI workers and firmly denounce all forms of marginalization and stigmatization linked to sexual orientation or gender identity.

PSI Americas 2nd Regional LGBT Committee

27 October 2014
PSI LGBT logo

PSI Americas will hold its second Regional LGBT Committee in Mexico City, in parallel with the 27th ILGA World Conference.

PSAC activists to attend WorldPride Human Rights Conference

19 June 2014

From June 25-29, Toronto will be hosting the WorldPride Human Rights Conference and PSI affiliate the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) will be there. The conference will bring together GLBT activists from around the world, including many from countries where homosexuality is punishable by life in prison.

As a demonstration of the union’s commitment to queer and trans rights, PSAC will be sending a delegation of union members to participate. This will give the union’s GLBT activists the chance to share stories, gain inspiration, and participate in the global fight for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans human rights.

Racism? Not for us!

22 March 2014

Speak out and take a stand against racism and xenophobia! On the eve of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2014, Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of the global union federation Public Services International affirms that “our commitment to fight racism and all forms of discrimination is guided by respect for human rights and basic union principles: social justice, equality, collective action and collective responsibility”.

European Parliament calls for EU roadmap to protect fundamental rights of LGBT people

05 February 2014
Rainbow flag

PSI applauds the news that the EU Parliament is calling for an EU roadmap to protect fundamental rights of LGBT people. The EU should draw up a roadmap to protect the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, says a resolution adopted by Parliament on Tuesday. In the 2013 EU LGBT survey, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency found that 47% of LGBT people felt discriminated against or harassed and 26% were physically attacked or threatened with violence in the previous five years.

Human rights are not negotiable: support LGBT workers' rights!

05 February 2014
Russian LGBT logo for Olympic Games -  VIXIONS

Educational International (EI) and Public Services International (PSI) join LGBT groups and other human rights defenders in condemning increasing intolerance and attacks on the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people. Governments the world over appear to be abdicating their duty to protect and advance the human rights of all their citizens, including LGBT people.

Johannesburg People’s Pride March for Freedom and Justice

08 October 2013
PSI South African representative giving speech

The first People’s Pride Movement March was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday 5 October. PSI, represented by its South African sub-regional office, took an active part in the March.

PSI and EI hold joint LGBT meeting

31 July 2013
participants at the meeting

Public Services International and Education International renewed joint LGBT activities by organizing a trade union planning and coordination meeting on 30 July in Brussels at the International Trade Union House.

LGBT rights at the workplace

08 July 2013
PSI LGBT logo

Public Services International’s Programme of Action, adopted at our World Congress in November 2012, confirms PSI’s commitment to the right to equal opportunities irrespective of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, national identity, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion, at the workplace, in trade unions and in the broader political, social, economic and cultural context.

Project to promote Equal Opportunities for LGBT Workers in the Public Sector in Brazil

01 July 2013
LGBT meeting Brazil

As part of the project to promote Equal Opportunities for LGBT Workers in the Public Sector in Brazil, a first meeting of the LGBT Committee of ISP-Americas was held on 27-28 June 2013 in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Colombia: Celebrating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

27 May 2013
Cali LGBT event

On Friday 17 May 2013, International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, PSI affiliates supported a targeted action that took place in Cali, Colombia on LGBT rights.

17 May - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

17 May 2013

Standing in solidarity to overcome prejudice and discrimination


The global union federation Public Services International (PSI) urges affiliate members to use the opportunity of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, 17 May, to promote understanding and defend the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people in our workplaces and communities.

PSI Congress Resolutions

12 March 2013

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012. The resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Japanese and Russian.

Brazil: New project on LGBT

19 December 2012
A group of men and women

The struggle for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers in Brazil has entered a new phase as a new PSI project is starting up.

Nowhere to turn: Blackmail and Extortion of LGBT People in Sub-Saharan Africa

09 July 2013
Publication Nowhere to turn

“Nowhere to Turn investigates the problem of blackmail and extortion of LGBT people in Africa, a challenge that has remained unaddressed for far too long. Human rights defenders, non-governmental organizations, and governments have a responsibility to address these crimes, which are a constant reminder of LGBT people’s legal and social vulnerability. Too many lives hang in the balance.”
–Cary Alan Johnson, Executive DirectorInternational Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission

The Cape Town recommendations

08 July 2013

The delegates of the Third EI- PSI Sexual Diversity Forum in Cape Town reaffirm the Porto Alegre Declaration and the recommendations of the Second International LGBT Forum in Vienna, recognize the progress made thus far in the implementation of these, and recommend that the Executive Boards of EI and PSI continue to pursue recommendations from both forums.

EI-PSI Sexual Diversity Forum

08 July 2013

It was on Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday that 150 delegates from 45 countries around the world gathered in Cape Town, South Africa for a two-day forum on sexual diversity, organised jointly by two global union federations: Education International (EI) and Public Services International (PSI). This was the third joint LGBT forum for EI and PSI, and was billed as the largest LGBT event on the African continent.

The PSI Brazil Public Sector Campaign to End Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation: Proposals

04 July 2013
The PSI Brazil Public Sector Campaign to End Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation: Proposals

This document offers proposals that could be implemented in municipalities, either by the executive or legislative branches of government.

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Working for the alternative: Implementing PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond

19 March 2013

The 2012 PSI World Congress provided a framework for Public Services International's discussions and decisions. However, it is necessary to focus priorities. This document presents a detailed implementation plan for PSI's mandate in 2013 and beyond.

PSI Congress Resolutions

12 March 2013

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012. The resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Japanese and Russian.

Trade unionists together for LGBT rights!

01 February 2013

This joint publication by Public Services International and Education International, produced in 2007, offers a clear and well-researched view of LGBT rights around the world, and more specifically in the workplace. It offers advice on adopting union LGBT policies, as well as organising and bargaining for LGBT workers.