The federal government may soon issue a formal apology for its historical discrimination against LGBTQ government workers dating back to 1949.
Two Democratic senators — Tim Kaine of Virginia and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin — are spearheading the effort, supported by 18 Democratic co-sponsors. They had introduced an identical resolution in 2021.
Mr. Kaine said the resolution shows a desire “to righting our past wrongs,” The Hill reported.
“LGBT civil servants, Foreign Service officers and service members have made countless sacrifices and contributions to our country and national security. Despite this, our government has subjected them to decades of harassment, invasive investigations and wrongful termination because of who they are or who they love,” he said.
The resolution highlights the government’s past discriminatory actions against LGBTQ military personnel, Foreign Service members and civilian employees, particularly during the “lavender scare” of the late 1950s and ’60s. During that period, then-Sen. Joseph McCarthy linked homosexuality to communism, prompting widespread persecution.
In 2017, former Secretary of State John F. Kerry formally apologized to LGBTQ State Department employees for past discrimination, including actions taken during the “lavender scare.”
Mr. Kaine’s resolution specifically notes that more than 100,000 LGBTQ service members were forced out of the U.S. military between World War II and 2011 due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. It also acknowledges the “countless others” who were compelled to conceal their identities and live in fear while serving.
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