[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 25, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H5727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today in
celebration of LGBT Pride Month because this year my friends in the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community have more to
celebrate than ever.
America was founded on the principle that we are all created equal,
but for decades the struggle for LGBT equality seemed like a distant
dream. Just 45 years ago, in June of 1969, a series of police actions
against the gay community sparked the stonewall riots, one of the most
pivotal moments in the fight for LGBT equality.
What began as a moment is now a movement, bringing LGBT Americans
together with allies to fight for the rights they deserve but are too
often denied. Back then, the movement moved slowly but surely, making
inroads neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city. Now I am proud to
say the equality movement is moving State by State, picking up steam
across the country with no signs of slowing down.
It seems like almost every other month a new State is reaffirming the
rights of its gay and lesbian citizens to marry whom they love,
regardless of gender. In fact, last November, my home State of Illinois
became the 16th State to legalize same-sex marriage. I have to smile
when I think that, just 2 months prior, I was officiating symbolic
marriages at a festival in Chicago to draw awareness to the cause. What
a difference a few months can make.
Currently, gay and lesbian Americans have achieved marriage equality
in 18 States and the District of Columbia, and America is stronger for
it. Even the Supreme Court has recognized the march toward equality is
inevitable, striking down the antiquated Defense of Marriage Act last
year.
For too long, DOMA denied same-sex couples the Federal benefits they
earned and deserved. Thankfully, the Supreme Court saw this
discriminatory law for what it was and tossed it into the ash heap of
history. Now LGBT couples are able to file taxes jointly and take
advantage of tax breaks that were once limited to heterosexual couples.
Now the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces can use the
veterans benefits they have earned for their same-sex partners. Now
binational couples who once lived every day under a cloud of
uncertainty are able to sponsor their partners for green cards and are
treated equally under the immigration laws.
What once was one a dream is now our reality. As I said, Madam
Speaker, there is more to celebrate this Pride Month than ever before.
This weekend, thousands will celebrate how far we have come at the 45th
annual Chicago Pride Parade. I will be proud to join the celebration,
as I have every year since 1982, and recommit to the work that lies
ahead to reach full LGBT equality.
I look forward to one day soon when the Supreme Court extends
marriage rights to all citizens once and for all so that no American is
denied equality because of the State they live in, a day in which
Congress passes the employment nondiscrimination act here in the House
so that no American can be fired simply because of whom they love, a
day in which LGBT Americans are allowed to visit their loved ones in
the hospital and have access to every Federal benefit that is available
to all other Americans, a day in which we ensure LGBT youth are
protected from harassment and bullying, and a day in which healthy gay
and bisexual men are no longer barred from donating lifesaving blood to
patients in need.
It is a day that is coming soon; there is no doubt about that. Until
then, we must find the courage to keep marching, fighting, and
believing that one day America will be a Nation that fulfills its
promise of liberty and justice for all.
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