DENVER, CO / WASHINGTON, DC - Earlier this week, member-delegates at the Service Employees International Union's (SEIU) 25th Convention in Denver passed a resolution calling upon local unions to bargain for trans-inclusive healthcare. The resolution, introduced by SEIU Local 1021, was unanimously endorsed by convention delegates who represent the union's more than 2.1 million members in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Tuesday's vote by SEIU member-delegates to include trans-inclusive healthcare in contract bargaining is a reflection of the deep-seated commitment to equality shared by SEIU's members and working people everywhere," explained L. Toni Lewis, MD, Chair of SEIU's Healthcare Division which represents more than 1 million healthcare workers. "Equal access to healthcare, regardless of sexuality or gender identity, is an important step in the long road to achieving equality for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community."

Last year, SEIU introduced trans-inclusive healthcare coverage for international staff members. The union's healthcare plan meets and exceeds the San Francisco city and county plan, widely considered the most inclusive healthcare plan for transgender individuals.

"From the union's endorsement of same-sex marriage in 2004 to winning contracts that extend healthcare coverage to same-sex partners and winning parity for domestic partners in family leave policies," Lewis continued, "the rights of LGBTQ people have long been an important part of SEIU's work."

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