About Us

What is WorkersOut!?

WorkersOut! is a collective of unions and union members who identify as GLBTI working together to raise the profile and importance of union membership across the GLBTI community.

Over the past few years, Workers Out! has been active around a number of campaigns and has been particularly proactive in coordinating community roundtables, petitioning, education sessions and street stalls for the Your Rights at Work Your Rights At Work campaign.

Why WorkersOut!?

Research has shown that more than 53% of GLBTI workers surveyed in 2004 had faced harassment and discrimination in their workplace. British research recently published found that 49% are too scared to come out at work.

For the last 10 years a variety of union members and unions have participated in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade bringing a level of attention to the union movement across a broad spectrum of the community. However, we need help to do it.

We have a strong active committee of workers from more than eight unions working with others to build a float and organise a team of marchers and dancers. We expect more than 150 GLBTI unionists and their friends, from all over Australia to take part. Why don't you join us?

How can you get involved in WorkersOut!?

We would like you to do a couple of things. The first and most important is to strongly encourage your members and union staff to get involved on the night. They can dance, join us on the night, help us build our float or make costumes. They don't have to be of a particularly sexuality - just supportive and respectful of our aims.

We also need money.

It will cost at least $8,000 to build the float, make costumes and hire sound, lighting and equipment. We have started raising money now in readiness to fund the 2011 Mardi Gras float. If you have a few dollars to spare, any amount would be much appreciated.

Cheques/Money Orders can be made out to:

Attn: Simon Van Vegchel,
Workers Out!
GPO Box 3365,
SYDNEY NSW 2001

If you would like more information or to provide feedback, please use our contact form.