You wouldn't believe the shit queer Starbucks union organizers are going through!

I started writing for The Buckeye Flame, Ohio’s LGBTQ+ news site, a while back because I loved what they were doing. And as a bi nonbinary person, it felt like a meaningful way to contribute my skills.

When my editor asked if I could write 800 words on the plight of queer Starbucks union organizers in Cleveland, I was down. But after talking to the union organizers, I realized this story needed way more space. Between promised benefits being inaccessible, hours being cut, low pay, deadnaming and rampant misgendering, a hostile work environment at the store level and calloused incompetence from corporate, 800 words wasn’t going to cut it. I turned in 2400 and begged my editor to trust me.

He did, and here’s the piece.

Please give it a read and if you’re able, please donate to the union organizers’ support fund. They’ve had their hours cut and are really struggling.