Equality
Throughout my career, I have firmly believed in President Abraham Lincoln's vision that our country is on an evolutionary path to full equality for all Americans and that the fight for human rights remains ongoing. I’ve always believed that it is our moral obligation to ensure justice for all, and not allow race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation to divide us.
As Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I’ve been an outspoken advocate in the fight for marriage equality. To highlight the disproportionate impact poverty and income inequality has on the LGBT community, I’ve used my role on the Equality Caucus to bring together experts to talk about potential solutions through regular series of briefings on the “Economics of Equality”. I’m also proud to be a leader in Congress of the bipartisan, bicameral fight for a much needed change to the FDA’s outdated and discriminatory blood donation policy for gay men. I’ve also worked to protect the rights of LGBT individuals in immigration detention. And while full marriage equality was a momentous victory, it is hardly the end of the fight for full equality for all Americans. That is why I helped introduce the Equality Act, which is the first comprehensive bill designed to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in the core areas of daily life including in public accommodations, housing, and employment.
Whether it’s fighting for marriage equality, opposing senseless discrimination, or standing up for those who cannot defend themselves, I believe that we must be guided by doing what’s right, what’s fair, and what’s just. Our country is at its best when all voices are heard and represented equally and we must always strive towards that goal.
Rep. Mike Quigley announced the formation of a task force within the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus to push for legislative and administrative action to protect the dignity and security of elderly LGBT people.
Rep. Mike Quigley has led the fight to change the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) discriminatory blood donor deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM).
Rep. Quigley speaks about the formation of the Transgender Equality Task Force with Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus members and transgender activists, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
More on Equality
Jul 26, 2016
Press Release
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, released the following statement regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement that a public docket will be established to request comments on potential changes to the current blood donor deferral policy.
Jul 12, 2016
Editorials
Our current blood donation policy for gay and bisexual men reinforces tired stereotypes about gay men. Is this really the message we want to send to many healthy young men who go to donate blood for the first time, maybe at their high school blood drive or to help a friend or family member in need -- that their blood is worth less because of whom they love?
Jun 25, 2016
Press Release
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, joined Chicago LGBT community leaders following the Proud To Run 5k/10k race to build awareness for the vital necessity of the Equality Act, energizing the LGBT community and its allies to continue advocating for its swift passage.
Jun 20, 2016
Press Release
U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, Barbara Lee (CA-13), Jared Polis (CO-02), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Diana DeGette (CO-01), and Alcee Hastings (FL-20) led a bipartisan letter signed by over 100 House colleagues calling on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert M. Califf to end the discriminatory blood donation deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM) once and for all. The current policy for MSM requires a 12-month deferral, or celibacy, period before being able to donate blood.
Jun 19, 2016
In the News
You are looking at live pictures from Orlando, we’re waiting for a memorial to begin within the next 90 minutes at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke; it will followed by a candlelight vigil to honor the 49 victims of the Pulse nightclub tragedy. An estimated 20,000 people expected to attend that vigil. In the wake of the shooting tragedy, blood banks in Orlando and around the country quickly put out the call for donors, and many lined up to give, but gay and bisexual men who wanted to help were turned away, renewing calls to loosen restrictions that some say perpetuate a stigma.