One would think labor unions and same-sex unions were about as opposite as night and day. Yet earlier this month the AFL- CIO, the federation of U.S. labor unions that represents more than 13 million workers, passed a resolution in support of homosexual and transgender rights and in opposition to an amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Labor unions typically affiliate themselves with the Democratic Party, but in the case against same-sex "marriage," political party means very little. All the state marriage amendments passed by high margins last year had strong support from both Democrats and Republicans.

For example, in Missouri 58 percent of all voters were Democrats and 42 percent were Republicans, and the marriage amendment passed by over 70 percent. The CBS/New York Times February 2005 poll on same sex "marriage" showed that 69 percent of all Democrats polled oppose same-sex "marriage." Why, then, instead of spending their resources on issues important to workers, does union leadership instead spend money on an issue most likely opposed by most of its membership? In the last three election cycles, Big Labor spent over $247 million (financed by union dues) on political causes. Ninety-three percent of those millions were spent against Republican candidates and conservative causes. Union members need to ask for more accountability from their leadership.

The Family Research Council