Senate Democrats filed a resolution to “right past wrongs” by requiring apologies to LGBTQ government workers.
The pandering resolution introduced Tuesday “acknowledges and apologizes for the mistreatment of and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals who have served our nation in the uniformed services, as civil servants, or in the Foreign Service,” according to the website of Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.)
“LGBT civil servants, foreign service officers and service members have made countless sacrifices and contributions to our country and national security,” Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. said in a statement Tuesday.
“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 the Democrat.
Kaine and Sen.Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who both sponsored an identical resolution in 2021, have 18 Democratic co-sponsors for the resolution which seeks apologies for discriminatory actions against LGBTQ government workers going back to 1949.
More than 100,000 LGBTQ service members are mentioned in the measure, referencing those who, because of sexual orientation or gender identity, were historically forced out of the U.S. military between WWII and 2011.
According to The Hill:
The resolution points to legislation, congressional hearings, reports and public statements made by members of the federal government against LGBTQ military service members, foreign service members and civilian employees, most notably during the “Lavender Scare” of the late 1950s and ’60s, when then-Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wis.) linked homosexuality to communism. In 2017, former Secretary of State John Kerry issued a formal apology to LGBTQ State Department employees for past discrimination based on sexual orientation, including during the “Lavender Scare.”
Baldwin, who was the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the Senate in 2012, declared how “proud” she was of the resolution.
“Anyone who serves our country, whether they are in uniform or a civil servant, deserves to be treated with respect, fairness, and dignity, regardless of who they are or who they love,” the Democrat said. “I am proud to lead this effort to show our commitment to creating a more accepting, equal country that lives up to our nation’s ideals.”
Those who co-sponsored the bill include Democrat U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Fetterman (D-PA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Mark R. Warner (D-VA).
While Democrats lauded the measure, plenty of vocal social media users expressed their frustration with the priorities of lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Glad they’re tackling the important issues.
— Rural Revolution (@pilgrimboy14) June 19, 2024
The American People are SICK of having our TAX DOLLARS WASTED ON THIS NONSENSE!
— Maryland Election Integrity Group (@EFFE4USA) June 19, 2024
So say sorry and move on! They don’t deserve ANY monetary compensation.
— Lone Star Mike (@mike_farabee) June 19, 2024
Stunning and brave! This is what the people really need!
— Jezebel B (@JezebelB13) June 19, 2024
Glad there is nothing else going on in the world
— KC Frew (@KnoxvilleKC) June 19, 2024
