Queering the Canadian Labour Movement: LGBTQ2S+ advocacy within the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) by Sarah Cibart Bachelor of Human Justice, University of Regina, 2016 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences © Sarah Cibart 2021 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2021 Copyright in this work is held by the author. Please ensure that any reproduction or re-use is done in accordance with the relevant national copyright legislation. Declaration of Committee Name: Sarah Cibart Degree: Master of Arts Title: Queering the Canadian Labour Movement: LGBTQ2S+ advocacy within the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) Committee: Chair: Jen Marchbank Professor, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Tiffany Muller Myrdahl Supervisor Senior Lecturer, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Helen Hok-Sze Leung Supervisor Professor, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Kendra Strauss Committee Member Associate Professor, Labour Studies Andrew Stevens External Examiner Associate Professor, Industrial Relations & Human Resource Manager, University of Regina ii Ethics Statement iii Abstract This thesis presents findings and analysis drawn from semi-structured qualitative interviews with eleven members, staff, and leaders within the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) on their understandings and experiences of LGBTQ2S+ advocacy within the union. I situate this data within a critical framework that draws together concepts of social unionism and queer theory, asking how accessibility and power is understood in these literatures. The data reveals that LGBTQ2S+ specific education and training is needed within the BCGEU, that the BCGEU needs a LGBTQ2S+ advocate, and the structure of the union must become more accessible to increase more meaningful involvement from diverse workers, including LGBTQ2S+ workers. I conclude by emphasizing the need for more research in this area, particularly in the Canadian labour movement, and offer suggestions on how to ensure future research accounts for diverse perspectives. Keywords: LGBTQ2S+; Canadian labour movement; accessibility; intersectionality; social unionism; queer theory iv Dedication I dedicate this to my late grandpa, Calvin “Papa” Cibart, who taught me the importance of advocacy work, community building, and solidarity at all levels of the political world. I miss you Papa, I felt your presence and wisdom with me every step of the way on this journey. v Acknowledgements First, I want to thank the 11 contributors within the BCGEU who built the foundation of this project. It was an honour to learn from each of you, and your time and wisdom was deeply appreciated. This project is for you, and those LGBTQ2S+ workers it may reach. Writing this thesis throughout a global pandemic, political activism in response to the ongoing racially motivated violence from police brutality, and pivotal political elections came with a lot of processing and need for support. I am forever grateful to my rock solid friends and family, including: Sara J, Jean, Russell, Matt, Zoë, Caroline, Wrye, Dania, Fred, The Burbarts, Auntie Jan, Cheyenne, Erin, Mummoo, Shila, Reith, Kaitlyn, my ever patient and loving partner Carrie, and my fierce and inspiring mamma Kerry. Finally, I am so grateful for the brilliant activists, academics, and community that have provided me invaluable mentorship and support throughout this process. Vicky Smallman, Dr. Claire Carter, Barb Byers (CM), Donna Smith, Sussanne Skidmore with the BCFED, Kari Michaels with the BCGEU, Dr. Jen Marchbank, Dr. Andrew Stevens, Dr. Helen Hok-Sze Leung, and Dr. Kendra Strauss. Lastly, to my supervisor Dr. Tiffany Muller Myrdahl who taught me that this process can be enjoyable, even when you’re terrified and anxious. Your attentiveness to both academic and personal support was appreciated every day. vi Table of Contents Declaration of Committee .................................................................................................. ii Ethics Statement ............................................................................................................... iii Abstract ............................................................................................................................. iv Dedication ......................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... vi Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. vii List of Figures ................................................................................................................... ix List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................... x Glossary ............................................................................................................................ xi Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................... 1 1.1. Objectives ............................................................................................................... 2 1.2. Gaps in Literature ................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Historical Context: Feminism and Union Advocacy ................................................ 4 1.4. Thesis Organization ................................................................................................ 5 Chapter 2. Methodology .............................................................................................. 8 2.1. Queering Methodology ............................................................................................ 8 2.1.1. Research Questions ................................................................................... 8 2.2. Coming Into the Project .......................................................................................... 9 2.3. Method & Goals .................................................................................................... 12 2.4. Recruitment & Demographics ............................................................................... 14 2.5. Interview Process & Analysis ................................................................................ 18 Chapter 3. Literature Review .................................................................................... 22 3.1. Social Unionism .................................................................................................... 22 3.2. Queer Theory ........................................................................................................ 24 3.3. Queering Social Unionism .................................................................................... 27 3.4. Strength in a Queerer Labour Movement ............................................................. 29 3.5. Closing Thoughts .................................................................................................. 31 Chapter 4. Case Study: Structure of the BCGEU .................................................... 32 4.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 32 4.2. Structure & History of the BCGEU ........................................................................ 32 4.3. Understanding Tools, Roles, and Events for LGBTQ2S+ Advocacy .................... 35 4.3.1. Equity & Human Rights Committee .......................................................... 35 4.3.2. Shop Stewards, Grievances, & Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) ................................................................................................................ 37 4.3.3. Convention ............................................................................................... 38 Chapter 5. Data Findings ........................................................................................... 40 5.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 40 5.2. Accessibility of the BCGEU Structure ................................................................... 41 vii 5.2.1. Being Elected ........................................................................................... 43 5.3. The EHRC & LGBTQ2S+ Roundtable as Advocacy ............................................. 44 5.3.1. Committees & Intersectional Experiences ............................................... 47 5.4. Shop Stewards & CBAs ........................................................................................ 51 5.5. Convention & Leadership ...................................................................................... 55 5.5.1. Role of Leadership at the BCGEU ........................................................... 58 5.6. Beyond the Pride Parade ...................................................................................... 61 5.7. Fitting In / Being Out ............................................................................................. 64 5.8. Advocacy Beyond the Union ................................................................................