Human Rights & Equity
The AFA Human Rights and Equity Committee is committed to providing the broadest possible representation of our members regardless of age, disability, marital status, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression. We honor and celebrate the shared humanity of the members in our care. We shall at all times endeavor to promote the principles of tolerance, fairness, equity, justice, respect and inclusion within our Union. It is only when we all work together that we can tear down the walls of division and create a progressive culture that values social & economic justice for all working people.
The work of this Committee includes:
- The ongoing study of matters related to the strengthening of our Union through the promotion of and support for economic, racial, and social justice equity for all workers;
- Recommendations for participation by our MEC and LECs with minority, women’s, and LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community organizations and coalitions which aim to eliminate discrimination and racism;
- Recommendations for creating safe spaces within our Union for people to share their personal experiences in relation to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, gender expression and political orientation so that we better understand each other and build our Union through our common struggles and goals, rather than allowing union busters to divide us by differences;
- Recommendations for educational materials and resources relevant to civil and human rights issues that affect our Members and communities;
- Recommendations on how to facilitate training around the issues of Human Rights and Equity; and
- Developing a productive working relationship with the company to ensure they are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace for all Flight Attendants.
- We are committed to supporting the local HRE Committees that have been created as well as assisting in the creation of a local HRE Committee at each Council. Our aim is to get everyone who wants to be a part of an HRE Committee involved, and by utilizing their individual skills, backgrounds, and passions, we can create a movement within our Union that is intersectional, reflecting the diversity of our workforce. We encourage Member participation through volunteering to start or support a local HRE Committee, providing us with your feedback and personal stories, attending future events and trainings, and spreading the word of this new Committee to fellow Union Members. We look forward to working on the issues of human rights and equity which are affecting our fellow Flight Attendants.
Recent Executive Orders, February 6 2025
The AFA-CWA INTL Human Rights Committee is READY to FIGHT. We have been preparing for such a time as this.
The HRE has been working over the past year to bring awareness to our Union, our members, and those we fly for and with. Our message has been clear. We all deserve to be seen, respected and feel safe to come to work just as we are. It is our duty as members to protect each other and stand in solidarity with our Union siblings even if we may disagree on certain topics and issues. We need to have each other's backs. If there is an attack against one of us, it is an attack against all of us. And we are UNDER ATTACK. ALL of US.
Red shows Impact to on us FA’s/Aviation Industry
There are a lot of unknowns right now, but one thing I know. We are Resilient.
We are all being impacted in one way or another, the attacks have already affected many of our friends, family, and loved ones in and out of our Union, (immigrants, people of color, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, those of lower socio economic status, veterans, anyone that does not look like you).
While we are Aviation First responders, we are here for Safety. We will continue to educate and let folks know safety is being compromised when hate and division is created in our workplaces, and it’s best to keep Aviation First Responders, and the word Flight Attendant out of your mouth, when you don't know our Job.
It is also a time to hold those who have said they have our backs accountable. Remember Solidarity is a Verb and WE are watching.
Our HRE work is rooted in resistance.
And Joy is an act of resistance.
We need JOY!
If your MEC or LEC does not have a committee- we got your back, and will help you find someone. You are not alone.
URGENT ACTION
Our Trans/Non-Binary and Intersex flying partners in particular are under attack.
As background since this administration took office, they have:
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Signed a stunningly broad executive order on January 20 that seeks to dismantle crucial protections for transgender people and denies the validity of gender identity itself.
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The new order withdraws a range of executive orders issued by former President Joe Biden, including those allowing transgender people to serve in the military, advancing the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, and interpreting federal sex discrimination protections in domains like education, housing, and immigration to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
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The order states that the US government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, that are fixed at birth, and orders government agencies to end all reference to and consideration of a person’s gender identity. This sweeping redefinition threatens federal programs used by transgender//nonbinary and intersex people and impacts federal documentation such as passports, which can currently reflect the gender identity of transgender/ nonbinary and intersex people.
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On passports in particular the AFA-CWA Human Rights and Equity Committee is working with the ACLU.
If members need to update the gender marker on their passport (or will be renewing a passport soon that already has an updated gender marker).
Specifically, the ACLU is looking for people who travel internationally as a part of their work or for other reasons who:
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Have already applied for a passport with the correct gender marker but haven’t received their passport yet
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Have already applied to renew their passport that has the correct gender marker but haven’t received their passport back yet
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Have not yet applied for a passport with the correct gender marker but want to
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Have a passport with the correct gender marker that they will need to renew soon
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We have a link that we will share with that individual directly, please connect that individual with a member of your HRE Committee.
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Please let us know if anyone is being impacted or needs support or resources at this time to myself, the HRE Committee, or EAP. Sometimes it's hard to ask for help, and we need to check in on our people.
Resources
- Know Your Rights Please feel free to print or download the Know Your Rights Guides. All peoples have these rights, regardless of citizenship. Additional languages available here
- Executive Orders (Attacks on Flight Attendants highlighted in red)
- Women in Aviation and Space History
- International Incident Reporting Form
- The Importance of Awareness; The Superbowl and Human Trafficking
- Additional Resources
- Know Before You Go: LGBTQI+ Safe Travel
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Intentionalist: Spend Like It Matters - Map Search
Small businesses are important to the social and economic fabric of our communities. From bookstores and restaurants, to stores that have sustained families for generations, local businesses are part of the heart and soul of the places where we live and work—they’re places where we come together, whether to make new connections or celebrate longtime friendships. Local businesses bring cultural diversity, contribute philanthropically, and they simply make our communities better.
AFA Diversity and Inclusion Pins
The AFA pin is a symbol of our collective strength as Flight Attendants, our history and power. It tells the world that we are united by wings. It means that we are never alone! It means that we have the right to speak up and we will use our voices to beat back discrimination and press forward on the issues that matter to Flight Attendants today.
Diversity and Inclusion pins were a concept put forward by AFA members through AFA structure. We expect to hear from additional members who want to celebrate our diverse history, and we will take similar action when we do.
- Black History Month
- Black Lives Matter
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- PRIDE Pins
- Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month
- September 11th Remembrance
- AFA/APFA 20th Remembrance September 11th
- Breast Cancer Awareness
- Native American Heritage Month
- Veterans Pin
