Quigley Announces Formation of Transgender Equality Task Force

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Vice-Chair of the Equality Caucus, joined a group of Democratic colleagues to announce the formation of the Transgender Equality Task Force. The Task Force will analyze current barriers to full legal and societal equality for transgender people, and will develop legislation and other initiatives to ensure the transgender community has equal access to the American Dream.

"This past year has been an amazing one for progress, but we can't stop now. Despite the recent gains in legal and social recognition at the federal and state levels, transgender Americans remain extremely vulnerable to harassment and violence," said Rep. Quigley. "I'm hopeful that with this new voice in Washington, the Transgender Equality Task Force can start to move the needle on this issue because the status quo of violence and poverty in the transgender community is unacceptable."

Rep. Quigley (at podium) speaks about the formation of the Transgender Equality Task Force with LGBT Equality Caucus Members and transgender activists, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (far right).

Following the announcement, Rep. Quigley participated in a congressional forum on transgender violence with leaders on the issue from Transgender People of Color Coalition, National Center for Transgender Equality, Human Rights Campaign, National Black Justice Coalition, and Center for American Progress. The panel represented the voices of organizations dedicated to the eradication of bias motivated violence against transgender people. The witnesses described the work their organizations are doing on a policy level and recommended ways Congress can act to end the epidemic of violence.

"Today's forum on violence against transgender people was truly eye opening. It is crucially important that lawmakers are equipped with data and statistics that help quantify the challenges that transgender Americans deals with -- violence, homelessness, housing, unemployment -- as a first step to developing real world, practical policy solutions. And today's conversation with the leading voices for transgender Americans was helpful in that effort," said Rep. Quigley. "I look forward to future conversations through my role on the Transgender Equality Task Force and ensuring equality for all Americans."

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