As part of the events surrounding Chicago's 35th annual Proud to Run, US Congressman Mike Quigley will be speaking on June 25 about HR 3185 Equality Act, legislation that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in public accommodations, housing, employment and other core areas of daily life.
Despite the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, LGBTQ Americans still lack some of the most basic legal protections, which is why legislative action is necessary now, perhaps more than ever.
While many states have adopted LGBTQ civil rights laws, there is no uniform federal standard that protects all Americans from discrimination. The Equality Act would amend existing federal statutes to provide explicit, consistent protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. By amending existing code, the Equality Act would extend to LGBTQ individuals the same protections that exist for the protected classes of race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
Congressman Quigley will be on stage June 25 at 10:15 AM at The Grove at Montrose Harbor.
About Congressman Quigley
Mike Quigley was elected to Congress in 2009 to represent Illinois' 5th District. A former Cook County Commissioner who began his career through community service in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, Quigley has served his community for more than 30 years.
About Proud to Run
Proud to Run is an annual 10K run and 5K run/walk along the lakefront that's been a part of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Pride Week activities since 1982. The 2016 race will be held June 25. PTR is focused on celebrating pride in an active and healthy way, raising funds to benefit the greater Chicago-area LGBTQ community; 16 nonprofits have received more than $400,000 during the last 33 years. In 2012, PTR was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.
The event is USA Track and Field certified, a Chicago Area Runners Association registered race, and presented in association with Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Chicago.
PTR is organized by an all-volunteer, community-based board and is a federal 501( c )( 3 ) organization.
Find more information on Proud to Run at www.proudtorun.org .