[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.

                          ____________________