Dems introduce apology resolution for decades of LGBTQ+ bigotry

The federal government is ready to apologize for decades of intolerance toward the LGBTQ+ community. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, aDemocrat byVirginiaand Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat fromWisconsin who’s out firstLGBTQ+ person elected to the Senate, introduced a resolution Tuesday seeking to formally apologize for the historic discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people in the federal workforce.

Thesolutionintroduced duringPride monthrecognizes the mistreatment and wrongful dismissals of LGBTQ+ government officials, foreign service members, and military personnel dating back to 1949.

“LGBT officials, foreign service members and military personnel have made countless sacrifices and contributions to our country and national security. Yet for decades, our government has subjected them to harassment, invasive investigations and wrongful dismissal because of who they are or who they love,” Kaine said in an interview with the BBC.press release. “This Pride Month, I am proud to co-lead this resolution with Senator Baldwin to reaffirm our commitment to righting our past wrongs and fighting for equality for all LGBT Americans.”

A dark chapter in history

The resolution highlights the Lavender Scare, a period from the early 1940s through the 1960s in which queer federal employees were targeted and persecuted. In this era marked by increased suspicion and discrimination, thousands of federal employees lost their jobs because of their sexual orientation. The most recent wave of such discrimination was perpetuated by the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which was in place from 1994 to 2011 and led to the discharge of more than 100,000 LGBTQ+ service members.

Recognizing the great harm caused by these discriminatory policies, the resolution states that “the Federal Government has discriminated against and discharged hundreds of thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served the United States in the Uniformed Services, the Foreign Service, and for decades the federal government service, causing untold damage to these individuals, including professionally, financially, socially and medically.”

In an effort to right these wrongs, former President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13672 in 2014, which prohibited federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, in 2023, the Department of Defense announced a review of the service records of individuals discharged due to their sexual orientation to assess their eligibility for discharge upgrades. The military has recognized the discriminatory nature of “don’t ask, don’t tell” and other policies, but LGBTQ+ veterans with dishonorable discharges must still individually prove that their records were changed as a result of discrimination.

Earlier this year, The lawyerreported those three gay Democratic US Congressmen – Robert Garcia of California, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire – sent a letter to the Department of Defense demanding faster action in resolving cases of LGBTQ+ veterans dishonorably deported under “don’t ask, don” t tell’. Lawmakers highlighted the difficult process veterans face to obtain the respect and benefits they have rightfully earned.

Continued commitment to equality

Kaine and Baldwin have a long history of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. They introduced the Equality Act, a comprehensive bill intended to amend the Civil Rights Act to protect Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2022, they also played a crucial role in the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, signed by President Joe Biden in December, ensuring the recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages across the country.

“Everyone who serves our country, whether in uniform or as a public servant, deserves to be treated with respect, fairness and dignity, no matter who they are or who they love,” Baldwin said. “I am proud to lead this effort to demonstrate our commitment to creating a more accepting, equal country that lives up to the ideals of our nation.”

Support and future steps

The resolution is co-sponsored by a large number of prominent Democratic senators, including Chris CoonsDelawareJeff Merkley outOregon,Pennsylvanias John Fetterman, Patty Murray outWashingtonBrian Schatz fromHawaiiJeanne Shaheen outNew HampshireBob Casey outPennsylvaniaDick Durbin fromIllinois,MassachusettsEdward Markey, Richard Blumenthal fromConnecticutBen Cardin fromMaryland,of Rhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse, Kirsten Gillibrand vanNew York,Colorados Michael Bennet, Ron Wyden outOregonSherrod Brown fromOhioAndFrom Virginia Mark R Warner.