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Zoe Karns: navigating trans identity in the IBEW during Pride Month

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Guest Name:


Zoe Karns

Guest Website:


Pride at Work 

IBEW Local 146 

Guest Social Media:


Pride at Work

Facebook

Twitter

IBEW

Facebook

Twitter

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Supportive Documents:


Zoe Karns, a journeyman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 146 and president of Illinois Pride at Work, shared her experience as a transgender electrician. She discussed her transition journey, workplace acceptance and the challenges facing trans individuals in the trades.

Karns transitioned three years ago while working as a low-voltage technician. Despite initial concerns, she found acceptance from her family, union and employer. Local 146 welcomed her participation in the women's committee and supported her transition, demonstrating the positive impact of inclusive union environments.

While Karns' experience has been positive, she acknowledged that many trans workers face discrimination and job loss, particularly in less progressive regions. She highlighted the importance of legal protections and supportive union leadership in creating safe workplaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.

As president of Illinois Pride at Work, Karns advocates for queer issues within the labor movement. The organization addresses discrimination, promotes inclusive contract language and provides a support network for LGBTQ+ union members who often feel isolated in their workplaces.

To hear more about Karns' journey and insights on LGBTQ+ inclusion in the trades, listen to the full episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast.


America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

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