Queering the Canadian labour movement: LGBTQ2S+ advocacy within the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU)

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.