CHICAGO — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley ( IL-05 ) named Jonathan "Yoni" Pizer as his new LGBT Liaison following the departure of former LGBT Liaison Brandon Neese.
"The people of Illinois' Fifth District will benefit from Yoni's history of public service and his unwavering dedication to equality for all people," said Rep. Quigley. "Yoni will be an invaluable asset in our office and we look forward to welcoming him."
Pizer has a history of involvement and activism in local, state, regional and national politics including grass-roots campaigning and organizing with then Senator Barack Obama, and Senators Tammy Baldwin and Al Franken. He is active with several non-for-profit organizations including Chicago House, Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal Defense.
In joining the Quigley team, Pizer continues an important tradition of advocacy for equality and underscores the Congressman's deep and ongoing commitment to representing the LGBT community.
Neese worked for Quigley as LGBT Liaison for Illinois' Fifth District for five years, spearheading the office's involvement in issues ranging from marriage equality to LGBT immigration concerns and the discriminatory policies governing organ and blood donation by gay and bisexual men.
"I have known and respected Brandon since my days as a county commissioner, where we worked together to secure benefits for lesbian and gay employees and win approval of a domestic partnership registry," said Rep. Quigley. "All of us in Illinois are better off for Brandon's fearless and unwavering advocacy for equality. He was a pioneer for LGBT rights in Cook County. Neither his contributions nor his friendship will be forgotten, and I wish him and his husband David the best."
A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Pizer holds a B.A. in Economics and Integrated Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin — Madison and a M.A. in Marketing and Operations from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
