On March 13, 2019 Gabbard and colleagues introduced bill H.R. 5, a bi-partisan bill which bans discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. The bill specifically targets issues such as employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, access to credit, and federal funding.
“Too often, the LGBTQ community still faces discrimination in the workplace, in education, or when trying to find a home,” said Gabbard. “It’s long overdue that we extend civil rights protections to the LGBTQ community and ensure equal treatment for all Americans under the law—regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, or national origin.”
Prior to her advocacy for LGBTQ rights, Gabbard worked on the opposite side of the issue, advocating for conversion therapy and against the right for LGBTQ individuals to marriage. She attributes this to being raised in a conservative household. Her father was also an outspoken advocate for those issues. She has since issued multiple apologies, the most recent of which was in a January 17, 2019 video, saying:
“In my past I said and believed things that were wrong. And worse they were very hurtful to people in the LGBTQ community and to their loved ones. Many years ago I apologized for my words and more importantly for the negative impact that they had. I sincerely repeat my apology today.”
