It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of treasured board member and fierce Family Equality supporter, Luigi Caiola. On Sunday, November 26, 2023, Luigi passed away unexpectedly in Miami, FL.
“Luigi’s impact on Family Equality and, ultimately, on the LGBTQ+ community will be felt for decades to come,” said Stacey Stevenson, President & CEO of Family Equality. “He was a cherished and dedicated member of our board and a beloved friend. This is a deep loss but I take solace in knowing our work will honor his memory and legacy.”
Luigi joined the Family Equality board in January 2018 and made a big impact from the start. He was a champion of Family Equality’s mission and never missed a chance to share his passion for our organization. A talented Broadway producer, Luigi, along with his sister Rose, co-founded Caiola Productions and developed more than 50 shows including Tony Award winners Dear Evan Hansen, The Color Purple, Once on This Island, Company, All the Way, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Family Equality Memories
Family Equality staff and board members share their memories of Luigi.
“Luigi shared with me at our last meeting (paraphrased) ‘You know it just felt so good coming out West for this meeting, seeing everyone, because we are family. I didn’t think I would make it after all the surgery and stuff, but I’m here and getting to know everyone better really feels good.’ Luigi and I didn’t share many conversations, but when he walked into the room with his slight tilt, you felt such towering power in his presence.” — Alvin McCray, Family Equality board member
“Luigi brightened every room he entered, and it wouldn’t be long before he started sharing stories about one of the kids, Sean, Rose, or another one of his family members. His face lit up and I could feel the pride and joy he had in his family. He also shared that same joy about Family Equality. He was passionate about the work we do and wanted to be a part of all of it! Through the years, Luigi became a huge part of my world. The phone calls and texts at all hours of the days and nights were always an adventure, and I could never predict where the journey would take me, or end. Luigi’s generosity, passion and love were all gifts. He made this world a better place and we’re all better for the love and light he shared. Rest easy, my friend, and we’ll take it from here… 🌈 ❤️” — Kim Simes, Executive Vice President, External Affairs
“He brought such a different point of view to Family Equality and sometimes it might have been a little unconventional, but he always ended up being so interesting and charming. In reality, his ideas and suggestions were on target. He never wavered in his support, love, and true friendship to everyone on the board at Family Equality.” — Don Hribeck, Family Equality board member
“Luigi was the epitome of family equality. His family and children were the embodiment of his heart and his love. And that translated over to his passion for Family Equality, because all he wanted was for everyone to experience the same love, joy, and belonging of family that he got to experience. He loved big, he gave big, and he showed up big. And we will miss him in bigger ways that we can even imagine.” — Matthew Ramsey, Vice President, Development
“Luigi has made a tremendous impact on my family. His kindred spirit, his generosity, his insight, his gentleness, and his love of family and advocacy for our families will be in my heart forever, and a continuing reminder of his legacy.” — Alex Habib, Family Equality board member
In remembrance of Luigi, his family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Family Equality in his honor.
Rest easy, my friend, and we’ll take it from here.
Kim Simes, Executive Vice President, External Affairs