U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois) discussed the importance of voting in this year's election and the consequences its results could have on the LGBTQ+ community during a roundtable discussion Thursday at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.
"Everything begins and ends with what happens in November," Quigley said.
The Nov. 5 election could have a number of outcomes, but it's also a chance for Democratic legislators to take control of the House of Representatives while keeping the Senate and presidency, Quigley said.
A Democrat-controlled House would make Quigley chair of the Appropriations Committee, which passes bills related to government spending, he said.
"And then this meeting will be a lot more fun," Quigley said.
Joli Angel Robinson, the new CEO of the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., moderated the discussion, which covered topics like funding for social services, and LGBTQ+ protections and voter apathy. A few dozen LGBTQ+ politicians, community leaders and organization workers attended.
Quigley, who serves as vice chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, said guidance for next year's budget has already come down from the current Appropriations Committee stating that U.S. House lawmakers can no longer request earmarked funding for some nonprofits.
"This year's earmarks got [Howard Brown Health] a dental clinic," Quigley said. "We also got earmarks for the Center [on Halsted], Howard Brown, Night Ministry and a few others. None of that's going to happen this year."
Legislators are exploring workarounds, like having local governments apply for the money so they can distribute it to various social service groups, to make sure some funding still reaches nonprofit LGBTQ+ organizations, Quigley said.
"We're going to do the best we can to draw resources back," Quigley said.
Voter turnout is key to making sure Democrats can regain control of the House and its Appropriations Committee, Quigley said.
Quigley also addressed the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks and bills coming from Republican politicians, accusing the party of using division to score political points.
"They just use this as a way to raise money and rev up the base," Quigley said. "And it's really dangerous because it begets violence, [especially] against Black trans women."
Lawmakers are working to advance protections for LGBTQ+ people by speaking out against the attacks from the Republican Party and working to pass the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ban discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.
"And I would say it's important to pass legislation that guarantees people the right to vote [and] access the ballot box," Quigley said. "Who is hurt when rights are taken away? The most disadvantaged, forgotten and least able to protect themselves. The only way to do [protect them] is to pass meaningful legislation, and the only way to do that is to make sure everybody can vote."
When asked what he'd say to voters who are feeling disillusioned by the political process and might sit this election out, Quigley stressed, "There isn't an alternative."
Quigley said turnout in Chicago's primary election, which came in at 19%, was an "embarrassment."
"The greatest form of action is inaction," Quigley said. "Trump won in 2016 in three states in a number that could fit in Soldier Field. Those gaps are small, so you really can make a difference."
