Labor Day is meant to honor the dignity of work and those who labor to build better lives for themselves and their families. For the LGBTQ+ community, this day also reminds us of the struggles—and victories—hard won in workplaces across the country. From the first people who risked everything by being openly queer at work, to those who organized for equal protections, to today’s advocates fighting for trans rights in the workplace, our labor has always included not just our jobs, but the fight to be recognized fully as ourselves.
It can be easy to forget that for so long, queer people could be fired simply for who they were—or still can in too many places. Labor Day, then, isn’t just about wages and hours, but about fairness, dignity, and opportunity. It’s about remembering that “the work of equality” is ongoing, and each generation takes up its part of the task.
So today, as we enjoy the holiday, let’s also honor the countless LGBTQ+ workers—teachers, nurses, artists, soldiers, and so many others—who make our world brighter and stronger. And let’s commit ourselves to a future where every person’s work, and every person’s identity, is respected.
Happy Labor Day, friends. 🌈✊🏽
