McClellan, Takano, Kaine, Baldwin Introduce Resolution to Formally Apologize to LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Civil Servants

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) introduced H.Res. 1357 to offer a formal apology for the mistreatment of and discrimination against LGBTQ+ servicemembers, civil servants and foreign service officers, and to acknowledge the pain that LGBTQ+ Americans in federal service have endured at the hands of this current Administration. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced companion legislation today in the Senate.

The United States has a long, disturbing and often painful history of discrimination against servicemembers and other federal employees identifying as LGBTQ+. During the "Lavender Scare" in the 1940s through the 1960s, thousands of federal employees faced discrimination because of their sexuality. The federal government did not reverse course until the Clinton Administration affirmed a policy of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation in federal employment in 1998. Additionally, at least 100,000 LGBTQ+ military servicemembers were forced out of the Armed Forces between World War II and 2011, most recently due to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy that prohibited servicemembers from disclosing their sexual orientation.

Recent actions by the Trump Administration attacking LGBTQ+ Americans, including by targeting transgender servicemembers and federal employees, undermine the progress of the last few years. This resolution apologizes for past discrimination, recommits the federal government to the pursuit of equality and acknowledges the pain that the Trump Administration has inflicted on the LGBTQ+ community.

"For far too long, LGBTQ+ federal employees and servicemembers have faced discrimination and mistreatment from the very nation they pledged to serve, merely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity," said Congresswoman McClellan. "As we celebrate Pride Month, I'm working with Congressman Takano and Senators Kaine and Baldwin to acknowledge the traumatic, damaging nature of these past initiatives while using our voice and our vote to ensure that our government, Armed Forces and Foreign Service welcome people of all backgrounds."

"This Administration has been hostile to the idea of a diverse federal service," said Congressman Takano. "We have seen them try and erase history, diminish the sacrifices of Americans who serve their country, and ban certain Americans from heeding the call to public service. We will continue to work to repeal these discriminatory policies to fully honor the sacrifice of LGBTQI+ members in the Armed Forces, civil services, and the Foreign Service; however, acknowledgement of these harmful practices and a formal apology is needed as the first step on the road to full reconciliation."

"LGBT civil servants, Foreign Service Officers and servicemembers have made countless contributions to our country and national security-often at great sacrifice. 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," said Senator Kaine. "Righting these past wrongs is critical to our fight for equality for all LGBT Americans, and I'm glad to be introducing a resolution this Pride Month alongside Senator Baldwin and Representatives McClellan and Takano to do just that."

"We have a responsibility to pass on an America that is more equal, not less - and that starts with acknowledging and learning from the mistakes of our past," said Senator Baldwin. "Tens of thousands of LGBTQ Americans signed up for service and dedicated their lives to our country, but in return, faced hate and discrimination from their own government. This legislation will shine a light on this dark chapter of our history, honor the men and women who were wronged, and help us move forward in the march towards full equality."

H.Res. 1357 is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

"We know that if we don't learn from our history, we are condemned to make the same mistakes. Unfortunately, the Trump administration is doing just that with its revival of the McCarthy-era Lavender Scare, where fearmongering and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in the armed forces, Foreign Service, and federal civil service have led to harassment, exclusion, and expulsion simply for living authentically," said Jennifer Pike Bailey, Government Affairs Director of the Human Rights Campaign. "This resolution acknowledging and apologizing for past mistreatment is an important step toward a future where every service member and federal worker is seen, valued, and able to serve their country fully and freely."

"AFGE supports this resolution as an important acknowledgment of the discrimination and injustice faced by LGBTQ+ Americans who dedicated their careers to serving the United States in the military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. By recognizing these historic wrongs and reaffirming the principles of equal treatment, dignity, and respect, the Senate takes a meaningful step toward ensuring that all public servants can serve their country without fear of discrimination," said Everett B. Kelley, National President of AFGE.

Both Representatives McClellan and Takano have extensively advocated for equal rights and protections for all Americans. Takano serves as Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus in the 119th Congress, and McClellan is a proud member. Takano is the sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation McClellan cosponsors to extend federal non-discrimination protections to the LGBTQ+ community.

Read the full resolution text here.