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Quigley Hosts Annual LGBTQ Advisory Council Meeting

February 8, 2016

CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05),Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, hosted his annual LGBTQ Advisory Council meeting with LGBTQ non-profit and community leaders, activists and advocates for an update on the status of issues facing the community locally and nationally.

“I have made it a priority since my election to Congress seven years ago to stay connected and grounded to the Fifth District community. This includes the LGBTQ community and the concerns that go along with equality for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers and sisters,” said Rep. Quigley. “My LGBTQ Advisory Council meeting is a gathering I look forward to every year, for these individuals are my eyes and ears on the ground, keeping me afloat on the issues that affect their communities most and how I can help them in Washington, D.C. I’m thankful to all of the advocates and activists who took time out of their busy schedules this morning to participate in this morning’s event.”

Rep. Quigley talked about many issues and concerns close to the LGBTQ community including the devastating effect of Illinois' budget impact on LGBTQ people and service providers, the formation of the new Transgender Equality Task Force, his efforts to move the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) through Congress, the advancement of the FDA’s blood donation for men who have sex with men (MSM), and more.

“As always, Congressman Quigley is helping us shape the conversations that we need to be having at this critical moment in the LGBTQ movement, and today's breakfast was yet another example of that. It is always so important to have strong and strategic allies contributing to our dialogue, and he remains such a friend to the sum of us,” said Rev. Stan Sloan, CEO of Chicago House.

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LGBT Advisory Council meeting 02.08.2016

Rep. Quigley addressed the LGBTQ Advisory Council Meeting.

Since his election to Congress in 2009, Rep. Quigley has been a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ community. At the start of the 114th Congress, Rep. Quigley was named a Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. He is also an original member of the Transgender Equality Task Force. He has hosted numerous Equality Caucus briefings around the “economics of equality,” which explore economic equality in the LGBTQ community and how Congress can better address this critical issue. In January 2015, he became an original cosponsor of the International Human Rights Defense Act. Previously, he called on Illinois state legislators to pass marriage equality and celebrated when that day came. He is a co-sponsor of the original Respect for Marriage Act of 2009, and has lent his support to the national NOH8 Campaign, a global visual art protest against legislation banning gay marriage. Prior to the Supreme Court overturning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 2013, Rep. Quigley was a critical opponent of the law and hosted a DOMA field forum to investigate the negative impacts of the law on individuals and families in Chicago. In the fall of 2009, Rep. Quigley was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame for his work as a Cook County Commissioner to extend benefits to LGBT employees.

Issues:Equality